SURIGAO DEL SUR, April 16, 2021 – Nagkahiusang Mananagat sa Gata (United Fishers of Gata) with 19 members in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur harvested Php 140,831.25 worth of milkfish from the FY 2020 Bangus Culture in Pen Project under the Department of Agriculture-Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program’s fishery sector.

With an 80% survival rate for their second cycle of production, the association sold 1,295 kilograms (kg) of fish to a buyer from Bislig City.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 13 OIC-Regional Director Dr. Nilo S. Katada witnessed the event, together with Provincial Fishery Officer Noel C. Pugoy and the team.

The said project is in close collaboration with the local government unit (LGU) of San Agustin, Surigao del Sur through its Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO).

In November 2019, the group received the first SAAD intervention worth Php 421,500 composed of 10,000 fingerlings (Php 60,000) and feeds (Php 277,500), and fish pen materials (Php 84,000).

The 10 x 10 x 5 meters fish pen is good for the number of fingerlings provided, catering 20-30 fingerlings per square meter.

For the second cycle of production, the group received 144 bags of feeds worth Php 127, 413 and purchased the fingerlings with their funds from their previous earnings.

The DA-BFAR in Caraga will continue to provide technical assistance to the Nagkahiusang Mananagat sa Gata through the SAAD program until their third cycle of production. ###

Writer: Provincial Fisheries Office of Surigao del Sur
Copy-editor: Natalianne Marie O. Delos Reyes, PR and Comms Officer- SAAD NPMO