BFAR to look into sea-based aquaculture as El Niño looms

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 11) — As the country braces for El Niño, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said it will look into further developing sea-based aquaculture.

"Ang direktiba ngayon ng aming ahensya, ng pamunuan ng aming ahensya ay tumoon tayo sa sea-based aquaculture. Ibig sabihin habang may nakaambang banta sa freshwater aquaculture, magbibigay kami ng toon sa sea-based aquaculture," BFAR chief information officer Nazario Briguera told CNN Philippines on Thursday.

"Ibig sabihin ito yung mga fish cages sa ating mga karagatan. Kasi ito ay hindi vulnerable sa mga pagbaba ng tubig."

[Translation: The agency's directive now is to give more attention to sea-based aquaculture. This means while there is a threat to freshwater aquaculture, we will focus on sea-based aquaculture. This means fish cages located in seas, because these are not vulnerable to falling water levels.]

Briguera added that BFAR itself is preparing for El Niño, which has caused fish kill in the past. The preparations include an information campaign for fishermen, particularly those using land-based aquaculture or fishponds.

"Mahalaga na sila ay magkaroon ng tamang kaalaman sa pagpapatupad ng mitigating measures. Ito po sa aspeto ng land-based aquaculture system, kailangan masunod ng mahigpit ang mga tinatawag natin na good aquaculture practices," Briguera said.

[Translation: It's important they receive the right information in the enforcement of mitigating measures. This is in the aspect of land-based aquaculture systems where good aquaculture practices must be strictly followed.]

RELATED: BFAR to ensure enough food supply as El Niño looms

The agency also warned that red tide could happen this year due to El Niño.

"Kapag mainit ang panahon nagkakaroon din ng incident or tumataas yung insidente ng algal bloom dito sa ating mga katubigan, sa marine environment. Kapag nagkakaroon ng algal bloom, nagkakaroon tayo ng increased incidence of red tide sa ating mga karagatan," Briguera said.

[Translation: When temperatures rise, the incidents of algal blooms in marine environments increase as well. When there are algal blooms, there is an increased incidence of red tide in our oceans.]

He said BFAR would intensify their monitoring system to immediately send out advisories when areas test positive for red tide.