Aquaculture practices in Laguna de Bay, Philippines

Abstract

A survey was conducted to obtain information on the fish culture practices of the fish farmers in Laguna de Bay, Philippines. Fish farms vary greatly in size. Nile tilapia and bighead carp are the two fish species cultured in cages. Milkfish as well as tilapia and bighead carp are cultured in pens. The fish in cages and pens in the lake are grown in monoculture and polyculture systems. About one-half of the cage operators and two-thirds of the pen operators do not use artificial feeds in growing fish. Estimates of N load in the lake due to feeding indicated that the contribution of feeds to N in the water is low in relation to the N present in the water. The fish farmers vary in their practices in terms of stocking rate, culture period, and feeding. Production per unit area also varies. However, fish farmers have common concerns and problems.