Protection and Conservation of “Ludong”
The media practitioners here expressed support to the protection and conservation of “Ludong”, an endangered and highly priced fish species in Cagayan Valley.
Dr. Jovita P. Ayson, Regional Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), said BFAR initiated the “Oplan Sagip Ludong” to take necessary actions to save and conserve the fish with the help of other agencies.
“We need to explain to the legislators and officials the urgent need to conserve the Ludong thru an amendment of the Fisheries Administrative Order FAO 31 and make its provisions more relevant,” Ayson said.
Some media from Cagayan and Nueva Vizcaya expressed commitment to help advocate to the officials, legislators, fisherfolk and the community the need to regulate its catch.
The catching of Ludong from October to January which is its spawning period is illegal but penalty under the law is only P50. This prompted BFAR to persuade the legislators to amend the law to increase the penalty to P80,000.
Ludong seasonally appears during October to January when there is flooding due to heavy rains and it traverses 200 to 300 kilometers to reach its spawning ground.
Ludong has been subject of exploitation by many fisherfolk because of encouraging market price of up to P5,000 a kilo. (PNA)
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