Volume 43, No. 02, Month MAY, Year 2019, Pages 1 - 13
Assessment of tilapia cage farming practices in relation to the occurrence of fish mortalities along the fish cage belt at magat reservoir, philippines
Francis Nuestro Baleta, Jonathan Mallillin Bolanos, William Catli Medrano
The present study was conducted in Magat Reservoir, Philippines, to determine the profile
and practices of tilapia cage farmers in relation to the occurrence of fish mortality. Eight stations were
established: Station 1 (Baligatan), Station 2 (Namnama), Station 3 (Halag 1), Station 4 (Halag 2), Station
5 (Halag 3), Station 6 (Taliktik), Station 7 (Dallaw) and Station 8 (Isla Berde). A total of 80 households
were interviewed from December 2016 to May 2017. Results showed that most incidents of fish mortality
in cages occurred during the summer season (March to June). Farmers perceived the primary causes of
fish mortality in Magat Reservoir to include fluctuating temperature (91.25%), water quality (83.75%),
pollution and predation by birds (each 76.25%), parasite infestation (56.25%) and diseases (50%).
Reduced feeding, isolation of the infected fish and proper stocking are the major activities conducted
by the fish farmers to prevent the occurrence of fish mortality at Magat Reservoir.
Keywords
Fish cage culture, Fish mortality, Magat Reservoir, Tilapia