To bolster the conservation and management efforts of Lake Buhi in Camarines Sur, the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) is implementing a research project titled “Stock Assessment of Inland Lakes: Lake Buhi,” home of the “sinarapan,” the world’s smallest commercially harvested fish.
“Gusto natin malaman kung ang sinarapan ba ay overfished na, o marami pa syang natitirang isda sa Lake Buhi para ma-prevent natin ang pagkawala nila talaga. Ayaw nating mawala ‘yan kasi dito lang ‘yan nakikita kasi di naman ‘yan nakikita sa ibang probinsya, sa ibang bansa, kung hindi dito lang. So, we want to sustain the population of sinarapan and hopefully by the end of this year based on our study we will have a policy recommendation on sinarapan,” said Dr. Maria Theresa Mutia, NFRDI scientist and project proponent.
The research project aims to collect information on the fisheries’ current status, which is essential for formulating appropriate policies and ensuring the sustainable management of Lake Buhi.
Collaborating with NFRDI on this endeavor are the local government of Buhi, Camarines Sur; Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 5; and Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Protected Area Management Office (DENR-PAMO) of Buhi Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS), the protected area that manages Lake Buhi.
In a meeting with the LGU of Buhi, Dr. Mutia presented the preliminary results of the project, including the inventory of fishers, gear and boat; initial aquaculture assessment; and status and identification of sinarapan (Mistichthys luzonensis).
Lake Development Office (LDO) – Designate Buster Ibarbia who was also present during the meeting hopes to continue the collaboration. “Our mayor ay talagang pinu-push po na magkaroon ng repopulation ng sinarapan sa Barangay Tambo. Hopefully hindi po matigil ang collaboration kasi talagang yung LGU andun yung effort,” he said.
Meanwhile, Angelito Philip Ignao, municipal agriculturist of Buhi, expressed his appreciation to NFRDI. “Napakaganda ng usapan natin ngayong araw. At least nagkakaroon tayo ng holistic approach para sa ating resources. Thank you po kasi laging nandiyan kayo para sa welfare ng Buhi. Lalong lalo na sa technical aspect. Kasi kami although graduate din ng agriculture, pero yung mas malalim na pagkakaalam ng mga bagay-bagay na dapat mai-implement, projects man yan o kung ano pang mga aspeto para mas ma-improve at ma-manage nang maigi ang mga resources, nandiyan kayo palagi kaya sana po ‘wag n’yo kaming pababayaan,” Ignao concluded.# (DA-NFRDI)
