BANGUED, Abra (PIA)–The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) bans the catching of “ludong” or lobed river mullet, an indigenous and endangered fish, from October to mid-November to allow its spawning .
BFAR issued Bureau Administrative Circular (BAC) No. 247 series 2013 which prohibits any person, association, or corporation to catch “Ludong” and designating as closed season the entire month of October until November15, 2021, which is the spawning period.
Ludong with scientific name Cestraeus Plicatilis is a migratory fish which can live in freshwater but goes to saltwater to spawn. It is claimed to be endemic to Cagayan River and tributaries extending through the watersheds of Cagayan Valley and the Santa-Abra River Systems of Ilocos Sur and Abra.
Provincial Fishery Officer Janet Daguio said catching of ludong, is allowed only before or after the closed season. Let’s give them a chance to lay their eggs, she urged.
Daguio said ludong which is often mistaken as laguning or guning or the jungle perch, is also called the “president’s fish” and commands a price of P5,000.00 to P6,000 per kilo.
Fish Regulatory Officer Junior Cesar Martinez said since the issuance of BAC No. 247, their office has been conducting information drive.
Martinez said that even before the issuance of the directive, preservation of the exotic fish is already being observed with the local government of Tineg passing an ordinance establishing a fish sanctuary along the Caganayan, Tineg River which is believed to be the habitat of the ludong. **JDP/SCA-PIA-CAR, Abra
