BREEDING AND REWILDING LOBED RIVER MULLET

BREEDING AND REWILDING LOBED RIVER MULLET

The good news is that our government has kickstarted a lobed river mullet (ludong) conservation project through Oplan Sagip Ludong, initiated by BFAR Region 2. The bad news is that this project is likely not getting enough funding, support, or attention. For now, it remains mainly a regional initiative, when it should be a national priority.

Ludong, scientifically known as Cestraeus goldiei, is no ordinary fish. It is rare, seasonal, and herbivorous, feeding exclusively on river algae. It is also catadromous—meaning it migrates downstream to the sea to spawn before returning upstream. That makes it doubly vulnerable to overfishing, dam construction, and river pollution. No wonder it is often called the “President’s Fish” because of its high market value and exclusivity. At one point, it was selling at ₱4,000 to ₱5,000 per kilo in local markets. But behind the prestige lies a sobering reality: ludong is classified as “near endangered” or “near threatened.”

If we don’t act now, it could slip down the ladder of conservation categories: from “vulnerable” to “endangered,” to “critically endangered,” and eventually to “extinct in the wild.” And once it’s gone, there’s no turning back.

Here are my questions: what is the actual surviving population of ludong today? What are the numerical targets for the next five years? Unless BFAR and DENR publish these numbers, the public will remain in the dark, and accountability will be weak. Conservation is not just about slogans; it’s about measurable outcomes.

Another concern is the enforcement of the ban on catching and selling ludong. Reports suggest that despite the prohibition, ludong still finds its way to black markets and private dining tables. If this is true, then implementation is failing. Moreover, we must extend the ban to cover ludong roe (fish eggs), because harvesting eggs directly threatens the next generation of the species.

Beyond enforcement, we need science. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) should accelerate genetic barcoding studies to clarify whether ludong populations in Luzon are truly unique or related to lobed river mullets found in Sulawesi, Vanuatu, or Fiji. If the Luzon ludong is genetically distinct, then it deserves the full weight of “endemic species” protection. If not, then at the very least, we can learn from regional conservation models. Either way, scientific clarity is essential.

What’s missing, in my view, is a comprehensive rewilding program. Breeding ludong in captivity is only half the battle. To rebuild healthy river populations, we need rewilding efforts aligned with watershed rehabilitation and anti-pollution campaigns. Otherwise, even if hatcheries succeed, there will be no suitable habitats for restocking. BFAR’s research centers in Claveria and Aparri are commendable first steps, but they must be scaled up, not left struggling with limited funding.

Let us also broaden the collaboration. Why is this effort mainly BFAR’s alone? Where is the DENR, which oversees freshwater ecosystems? Where is DOST, which could provide scientific innovation? Where is the DA, which could link conservation with fisherfolk livelihoods? Even LGUs along the Cagayan River basin should be fully mobilized. Without multi-agency coordination, the program risks becoming another well-meaning but underfunded project.

Globally, the lobed river mullet (Cestraeus plicatilis) has been recorded in places like Sulawesi, Okinawa, and New Caledonia. However, these are scattered populations, possibly even distinct species. In the Philippines, ludong’s story is not just ecological but cultural—woven into the identity of Cagayan Valley communities. Protecting it is both a scientific obligation and a matter of heritage.

So, what do we do next?

  1. Nationalize Oplan Sagip Ludong. Turn it into a flagship biodiversity program, not just a regional experiment.

  2. Set clear population targets. Publish baseline numbers and five-year goals to measure progress.

  3. Strengthen enforcement. Include a ban on the sale of ludong roe and crack down on black markets.

  4. Invest in science. Push for genetic studies, captive breeding, and rewilding programs.

  5. Align with river rehabilitation. A healthy ludong population depends on clean, flowing rivers.

  6. Promote fisherfolk participation. Give local communities a stake in protection—through ecotourism, conservation-linked livelihoods, or hatchery partnerships.

The ludong is a symbol of what we stand to lose if we neglect our rivers. It is also a symbol of what we could achieve if we align science, policy, and community action. The choice is ours: let ludong become a legend of the past—or let it swim again in abundance, a living testament to Filipino stewardship.

The question remains: will we wait for this species to vanish before acting decisively, or will we breed and rewild it now while we still have the chance?

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres

iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com 

12-24-2025

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