The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Central Luzon (BFAR-3) is continuously equipping fish farmers in the region with new technologies that could help boost the industry.

BFAR-3 Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz said on Tuesday that 55 fish farmers from the towns of Paombong and Calumpit in Bulacan are currently participating in the season-long Fish Farmers Field School (FFS) that will teach them actual procedures on green water technology.

“The BFAR, through the FFS, aims to teach fishermen the latest technology that will improve their operation and livelihood as fish farmers,” Cruz said in an interview.

He said the program aims to teach the procedures of growing shrimp and tilapia in one pond using green water technology, a technique that cultures shrimps in water that is abundant in phytoplankton — microscopic organisms that live in watery environments, both salty and fresh.

“The course outlined that tilapia will be grown in the fish pond along with shrimps so that green water is produced to help control the growth of luminous bacteria that is bad for the growth of the shrimps,” he said.

The FFS will be conducted for 16 weeks with resource speakers from BFAR, Provincial Agriculture Office, other partner agencies and the private sector.

“Nais ng BFAR na maituro sa mga mangingisda ang makabagong teknolohiyang magpapabuti sa kanilang kabuhayan (It is the desire of the BFAR to teach fishers the new technology that could improve their livelihood),” Cruz added.

Meanwhile, Bulacan provincial agriculturist Ma. Gloria Carillo expressed hope that the FFS students will use the new technology that they will learn from the training to increase production and consequently, their income. (PNA)