30-K carp let loose along Chico Agkhuyo rivers

By Alpine L. Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province - Thirty thousand carp fingerlings were released here along the Chico and Agkhuyo rivers on May 6.
    These were released in Fikoko, Barangay Samoki, and in Paling and Napo in Barangay Bontoc Ili.
    The carp fingerlings dispersal was made possible through the Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa (BaSIL) project of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to repopulate freshwater bodies with non-invasive and indigenous fish species.
    Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey thanked the BFAR for its immediate response to the request of Bontoc for the fingerlings and assistance to the municipality.
    The mayor commended concerned agencies and stakeholders for the carp fingerlings dispersal which he hopes will be harvested after one year. 
    Odsey appealed to the public to observe safe, proper, and environment-friendly fishing practices to ensure benefits of water resources are maximized.
    He said this is through the use of appropriate gears, non-use of harmful fishing methods, and venturing into possible ways of processing the fish catch. 
    According to Administrative Officer Ross Kiat-ong of the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist, agencies involved in the carp fingerlings dispersal were the BFAR regional and provincial offices, Bontoc government and barangays of Samoki and Bontoc Ili. 
    Kiat-ong said the past years, different fish species were released along the Chico River to include carp, tilapia, ulang (fresh water pawn), gurami, and eel fingerlings.
    This was through collaborative efforts of the BFAR, Bontoc LGU, and other partner stakeholders.