Ban on ludong fishing in northern Luzon rivers hit

A fisherfolk group criticized an order of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) prohibiting ludong fishing, particularly in the rivers of Cagayan Valley, Nueva Vizcaya and Abra.

Salvador France, of the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakayang Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), blamed BFAR for the depletion of the specie.

“The BFAR is responsible for the dwindling of ludong, as it continues issuing permits to private fishing companies and individuals, who use illegal methods of fishing,” France said in a statement.

The group said the illegal activities of these companies and individuals affected the small fishermen.

“The small fishermen should not be included in the BFAR’s ban on ludong fishing. The order should only cover the big fishing companies,” France said.

The BFAR has banned ludong fishing in the rivers of Cagayan Valley, Nueva Vizcaya and Abra from Oct. 1 to Nov. 15. It said it is during this period when the female fish pass through these rivers on their way to the open seas to spawn.

Ludong, known as the President’s fish, sells at P5,000 per kilo.

In Ilocos Sur, the provincial government is looking for ways to save the ludong, the country’s most expensive fish, which was among several species recently declared endangered by the BFAR.

Provincial board member PablitoSanidad Jr., chief of the board’s committee on agriculture and fisheries, is pushing for an ordinance that will support BFAR’s Circular No. 247.

The circular seeks to protect the ludong found in the Abra River and create a committee that will regulate ludong fishing.

According to the Save The Abra River project, the ludong is at risk for extinction.

The ludong, or freshwater mullet, is endemic to Cagayan River and its tributaries extending to the watersheds of Cagayan Valley and the Santa-Abra River systems of Ilocos Sur and Abra.