PROMOTING AND PROTECTING MILKFISH

PROMOTING AND PROTECTING MILKFISH

Believe it or not, we occasionally run short of milkfish—yes, our beloved bangus. The gap can reach up to 55,000 metric tons. That’s not just a number. That’s a lot of empty plates, disrupted livelihoods, and missed opportunities. What does that mean for us?

Does it mean we’re importing milkfish? Officially, not much. But unofficially? That’s a different story. Some insiders suggest that milkfish may already be slipping in through the backdoor—smuggled, untracked, and unregulated. It’s not a wild theory. Even government officials have admitted that our borders are “porous.” That’s not just a diplomatic way of saying “we have a problem.” That’s a red flag waving in plain sight.

Now, while I’m concerned about milkfish being smuggled in, I’m even more alarmed by the possibility of milkfish fingerlings being smuggled out. That’s our future stock. That’s our aquaculture base. That’s our national fish. And if we’re losing it to unregulated exports, we’re not just losing fish—we’re losing sovereignty over a species that’s deeply tied to our culture and economy.

Let’s clear up a common misconception: milkfish is native to the Philippines, yes—but it’s not endemic. It’s also found in Indonesia, Taiwan, and other parts of Asia and the Pacific. So, we’re not the only ones growing it. But we are among the best at it. Dagupan didn’t earn the title “Bangus Capital of the World” for nothing.

Still, illegal exports aren’t the only threat. There’s a silent predator in our waters: tilapia. Many don’t realize it, but tilapia is an invasive species. And it’s not just competing with milkfish—it’s consuming its fry. That’s right. Tilapia is eating the very fingerlings we need to sustain our bangus supply. So now we’re at a crossroads.

Do we favor tilapia, the foreign invader? Or do we protect milkfish, our native pride and national fish?

As for me, I choose milkfish. But I’m not calling for a tilapia purge. That would be shortsighted and unfair to the many farmers who depend on it. What I propose is a gradual, supported transition away from tilapia farming. Let’s treat tilapia growers not as violators, but as partners in aquaculture reform. Give them options. Give them support. Help them shift toward native species and sustainable systems.

This is where government planning becomes crucial. We need a long-term strategy—not just to phase out invasive species, but to ramp up milkfish production. The goal? Not just self-sufficiency, but export readiness. Imagine Filipino canned and bottled bangus lining supermarket shelves in Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. That’s not a pipe dream. That’s a market waiting to be tapped.

Let’s look at the numbers. In 2023, we produced 355,400 metric tons of milkfish—down from 414,900 MT in 2019. That’s a worrying trend. Climate events like Typhoon Odette, disease outbreaks, and water pollution have taken their toll. Add to that declining fingerling supply and feed quality, and you’ve got a recipe for shortage.

Meanwhile, domestic demand remains strong. Bangus contributes nearly 14% to total fisheries production and is valued at ₱45.9 billion. Fry demand alone ranges from 2.5 to 3.6 billion pieces annually. That’s why hatchery expansion and LGU partnerships are more than just buzzwords—they’re lifelines.

The Philippine Milkfish Industry Roadmap (2021–2040) lays out some promising goals: boost hatchery efficiency, develop disease-resistant stocks, expand satellite larval rearing facilities, and strengthen LGU and cooperative involvement. All good steps. But we need to go further.

Barangay-level cooperatives could play a key role in fry sufficiency programs and integrated cage farming. Modular aquaculture systems could localize production and reduce reliance on centralized facilities. Cold-chain upgrades could minimize post-harvest losses and extend market reach.

And let’s not forget biosecurity. Smuggling of fry—whether in or out—poses serious risks. Disease outbreaks, data mismatches, and unregulated imports all threaten the integrity of our aquaculture system. Strengthening quarantine protocols, digital tagging, and cooperative fry registries could help us track and protect our stock.

So where do we go from here?

We go local. We go modular. We go native. We go strategic.

Let’s promote and protect milkfish—not just as a commodity, but as a symbol of our resilience, our ingenuity, and our identity.

Bangus is more than food. It’s a future we can shape—if we choose to.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

12-09-2025