The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Central Luzon (BFAR-3) on Monday released around 80,000 tilapia fingerlings in Almacen River in Hermosa town, Bataan province as part of its continuing effort to revitalize the aquaculture industry.

The dispersal activity aims to repopulate the rivers and lakes in the region with tilapia through the Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa (BASIL) program.

Bataan Provincial Fisheries Officer Harlyn Recabar-Purzuelo and BFAR-3 BASIL focal person Al Dimaquibo led the dispersal of the fingerlings from the Technology Outreach Station for Freshwater (TOSFW) species in Castillejos, Zambales province.

BFAR-3 Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz, in an interview, said the dispersal seeks to increase productivity and eventually improve the living condition of fisherfolk in the province.

“This will help improve the productivity and sustainability of the lives of the fisherfolk in Hermosa town,” he said.

He said the chance of survival of the released fish is high given the quality of water in the river.

Cruz urged the fisherfolk to observe safe, proper, and environment-friendly fishing practices to ensure that the benefits of water resources are maximized.

“This is through the appropriate use of gears, non-use of harmful fishing methods, and venturing into possible ways of processing the fish catch,” he said.

Launched in 2017, the BASIL is a five-year project that aims to rehabilitate major inland bodies of water in the country.

It targets to disperse at least 210 million fingerlings nationwide in major lakes and river basins. (PNA)