MAASIN CITY-The provincial multi-species marine fish hatchery in Southern Leyte is ready to distribute fish fry to fishpond operators and local government units (LGUs).
This initiative followed five months after the multi-species fish hatchery’s inauguration on June 24, 2024, in Brgy. San Roque, Macrohon, attended by Gov. Damian Mercado, Andrew Orais, regional director of the Department of Agriculture (DA), and Nelia Gabon-Tomayao of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
During the inauguration, Orais noted that this is the only pre-stocking hatchery in the region run by the provincial government with support from BFAR, DA, and Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) for technical assistance.
The crab hatchlings in their spacious pens. (Photo courtesy of Provincial Government of Southern Leyte)
According to Ruel Natividad, who oversees the hatchery, the distribution includes crab larvae and fish species.
He mentioned that crab larvae from Pitogo, Bohol, were released into the nearby Municipality of Padre Burgos and seeded in a fish sanctuary.
As to bangus fry, our takers are still getting ready. We assisted the fisherfolk association in Barangay Manhilo, Maasin City, in their pond preparation, while the other group in Biasong, Hinunangan, maybe the first to be delivered next week,” he said.
This supports the recent stocking of fish fingerlings, including bangus, kitong, danggit, and pompano. The one-hectare breeding compound has also added lambay, or the blue swimming crab, to its production.
The move is viewed as a long-term investment in self-sufficiency to boost President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s food security program, aiming to ensure an abundant supply of fish in the province.
(AAC/MMP, PIA Southern Leyte)
