The eel fishery industry in the Philippines has been widely recognized and is currently prone to overexploitation due to increasing demand for eel in the market.
The Lagonoy Gulf situated in the Bicol peninsula is considered to be a potential fishing grounds of eel species; however, only limited research has been conducted to know its suitability to serve as a grow-out place for eel culture.
This led the Bicol University Tabaco Campus (BUTC) to conduct research on the management and conservation of the eel fishery tributaries along the Lagonoy Gulf. This project is funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
Three eel species identified
Dr. Plutomeo Nieves, project leader of “The Eel Fishery in Tributaries along Lagonoy Gulf: Implication to Management and Conservation,” together with his research team in BUTC, has identified the presence of three species of eel namely, Anguilla marmorata (Giant mottled eel), Anguilla bicolor pacifica (Indonesian shortfin eel), and Anguilla japonica (Japanese eel).
The eel species discovered and extracted from potential eel fishing grounds in Albay, Catanduanes, and Camarines Sur are generally classified as glass eel. The common sizes of glass eels range from 4.1 cm to 7 cm and weighs from 0.05 g to 0.21 g.
Each species is distinguished through caudal pigmentation or presence of pigmentation on its tails. A. marmorata has an inner caudal pigmentation before reaching the tip of its tail; A. japonica lacks it, while A. bicolor pacifica has caudal pigmentation that extends to the tip of its tail.
Lagonoy River in Camarines Sur, Comun/Balza River in Albay, and Bato River in Catanduanes, are the three major potential fishing grounds for eel culture, wherein A. marmorata and A. bicolor pacifica are the most abundant species in these sites. A. japonica was least in terms of population in the sites mentioned.
Methods of catching eels; benefit to farmers
In catching eels, there are two methods: passive and active, which utilizes a specific type of gear. In active method, push net, hook and line, spear guns, spear, and electro-fishing gear are most commonly used for collecting eels. Passive method uses modified fyke net, which has an 81.5% catching efficiency, a bamboo trap, a filter trap, and rock mound.
Eel culture can be beneficial to fishermen, traders, and gatherer being the key players in the supply chain approximate valued at P4 million to P23.3 million, with glass eel and adults alone. The economic potential of eel fishery in the region can be achieved and sustained by creating policies and strategies in managing and conserving the resources.
BUTC drafted policy recommendations, which include: use of modified fyke net in glass eel collection as well as exploration of other gear types appropriate to the geographical landscape of the collecting sites; proper documentation of the activities of the key players through mandatory stakeholder and fishing gear registration ; strict enforcement of the Fisheries Laws (RA 8550 and RA 10654) and the Environmental Laws (RA 9275 or the Clean Water Act of Ecological SWM Act No. 9003 of 2000); and lastly, a rigorous information, education and communication campaign on eel conservation.