Weak El Niño good for fishermen, consumers —BFAR

The weak El Niño is good for fishermen even as it scorched the country's farms, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said on Friday.

BFAR director Eduardo Gongona said there are fewer tropical cyclones expected because of the El Niño. This would give the fishermen more days to catch at sea.

Farmers continue to reel with the effects of the El Niño with the Department of Agriculture estimating the cost of damage at over P4 billion.

“Favorable siya sa fisheries. Parang nagge-generate yung mga isda ngayon. Tsaka nasa peak fishing season tayo,” Gongona said.

The prices and supply of fish, Gongona said, would be stable as long as the El Niño would remain weak.

Based on BFAR’s monitoring of markets, tilapia costs P100 per kilo. Bangus is at P150 to 160 per kilo, cheaper by P30 to P50.

Galunggong is now P130 to 180 per kilo from over than P180.

"Pag nag-strong siya, more than 33 degrees celsius, 'yun na ang nakakaapekto ngayon sa mga itlog at pagre-regenerate ang naaapektuhan kasi mainit na," BFAR Gongona told GMA News TV's Balitanghali.

"Ngayon sa aquaculture naman, 'yung mga isda natin tend to tolerate kasi weak pa nga lang...Merong konting impact but its not (a) very significant negative impact on aquaculture," he added.

The BFAR director gave his assurance that contingency plans and mitigation measures were in place.

Referring to fishpond owners, Gongona said, "Sila ang medyo mauunang tamaan. Kasi pag uminit yung tubig, parang nabawasan yung tubig. Evaporate siya. Yung mga itlog, yung mga maliliit na isda, apektado 'yon.” 

BFAR estimates initial damages to fishponds at P4.5 million.

BFAR also warned of increased incidence of red tide because of El Niño.

“Nariyan ang banta ng madalas na pag-usbong ng red tide dulot ng pagdami ng nakalalasong organismong tinatawag na dinoflagellates dala na rin ng mainit na katubigan,” Gongona said.

BFAR yesterday issued an advisory against the harvesting, selling and eating of shellfish from San Pedro Bay in Western Samar, Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur, the coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran in Bohol, Balite Bay in Davao Oriental and the coastal waters of Santa Maria in Davao Occidental.

Meanwhile, the price of shrimp has gone up.

Seafood vendor Vilma Bustos said that from P300 to 320 per kilo, the price has gone up to P360-380. Bustos said there was a decrease in supply.

“Kaunti kasi mainit,” she said. —with Margaret Claire Layug/NB, GMA News