JOHN MICHAEL MURILLO

Quezon, Bukidnon – On June 30, 2025, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Northern Mindanao (BFAR-10), through its Provincial Fisheries Office in Bukidnon, continued its Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign on invasive freshwater fish species in the locality.

This campaign held simultaneous sessions  on June 30, 2025 in Maramag and Valencia City, Bukidnon in order to raise awareness about the threats invasive freshwater fish species pose to native biodiversity, fisheries sustainability, and freshwater ecosystems. The program targeted local residents living along the Pulangi River, a vital waterway that traverses most cities and municipalities in Bukidnon and serves as a major tributary of the Rio Grande de Mindanao.

The attendees learned the characteristics of invasive species which can outcompete or harm native fish populations, disrupting ecological balance and local livelihoods, as well as the measures necessary to prevent their proliferation. 

Common invasive freshwater fish species found near the Pulangi River include “toman” (Channa micropeltes), janitor fish (Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus), and “igat” (Monopterus albus). These species compete with the native fish species and pose a threat to biodiversity and the livelihoods of local fishers.

The campaign also tackled fisheries quarantine regulations, relevant laws on the import and export of live aquatic animals, identification of prohibited and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)-listed species, and the process of obtaining a Certificate of Aquatic Wildlife Registration (CAWR) to ensure legal compliance.

One of the participants, Rosalina Legado, expressed her gratitude, saying: 

“Mapasalamaton kaayo mi sa gipahigayon nga IEC activity tungod kay nakadugang kini sa among kahibalo, hilabi na sa mga klase sa isda nga pwedeng makadaot sa atong kinaiyahan. Nakahatag jud kini ug kahayag sa among panalabutan aron kami mahimong magprotektar sa atong kinaiyahan.”

(We are very thankful for the IEC activity because it increased our knowledge, especially about the types of fish that can harm our environment. It truly enlightened our understanding so that we can become protectors of our environment.)

With this initiative, BFAR-10 reaffirms its dedication to raising public awareness, encouraging community involvement in protecting aquatic resources, and strengthening partnerships with the government agencies and local stakeholders to preserve the Pulangi River watershed and ensure the long-term sustainability of Bukidnon’s freshwater ecosystems.