BFAR propagates‘lato’ culturing

CEBU, Philippines — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Carmen Brackishwater Fish Farm in coordination with the Cebu Provincial Fishery Office turned over about 1.2 metric tons of seagrapes (lato) seedlings to two entities in southern Cebu.

CBFF head Joel Clapano identified the beneficiaries as the Cebu Technological University in Moalboal campus and the Primary Structure in Badian town.

In a statement posted at BFAR Facebook page, it said that each beneficiary received 600 kilograms of seagrapes seedlings which will be used as "test planting" materials for their respective pond culture.

BFAR-7 said that Caulerpa lentillifera  (lato or seagrapes) is one of the potential emerging commodities in the region with high demand both in the local and international market.

Clapano added that this endeavor seeks to assist the two entities in developing their own seagrapes pond culture that may augment the existing resources that the bureau has.

Meanwhile, following the transport of 50,000 tilapia fry from Bohol, the beneficiaries from different areas in Cebu Province have finally received the livelihood assistance which will be distributed to marginalized fish farmers who had been requesting assistance from the bureau.

The bureau said that at least 34,000 tilapia fry were distributed to 10 individuals from Cebu City and from the municipalities of Minglanilla, Consolacion, Liloan and Tuburan.

The remaining 16,000 fry were given to the Atlas Commission Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Barangay Loay, Toledo City. —/GMR (FREEMAN)