Summary:

- Leading university: Central Becol State University (and Isabela State University)

- Local cooperative: Cabanayan Masagana Small Water Irrigators Association (CMSWIS)

1. Context/ introduction

CMSWIS is a group of fisher folks located at Simmimbaan, Roxas Isabela. An organization that was organized and stablished for the purpose of having an easier access to the benefits and assistance given by the government through the Department of Agriculture. Through the help of the extension services of the Isabela state University, Provincial Institute of fisheries, ISU served as their technician for the new technologies and proper management of the fish in their ponds. Tilapia is solely raised in the fishponds. The prospect of adding other variety of fish are hindered by the effects of climate change risks.

2. Challenge/ Problem analysis

During dry season, temperature of the water in their ponds is increasing. Thermal shock is being observed which causes fish kill and farmers suffer from losses. Same effects are being observed on the production of the farmers when there is a rapid change from low to high temperature. Despite of the presence of the machines which regulate the favorable temperature for the fishes, no farmers can avail because it requires higher capital and they do not have enough funds. Aside from it, those machines are designed only for the fishes that are being grown in the tanks not for the fishes raised in a pond.

Another issue that was raised is on the water quality parameters. Fisher folks do not monitor nor evaluate the fish pons water qualities. This factor may improve the quality of Tilapia (size and taste) they harvest. One kilo of Tilapia is four pieces the maximum, which can be improved. These parameters are:

- Temperature

- Salinity

- Solved oxygen (for this they are thinking about ducks or a paddle system, but this is very expensive – 100 000 pesos

The challenge is now: how aeration can be in place so as to sustain the supply of dissolved oxygen, what simple machine/technology can be applied; and what water quality parameters are in the existing fish ponds, is there a need to filter the water coming from the nearby fields?

When fish are ready to harvest, they empty the pond and buy new fingerlings (in San Matteo, neighboring village). They don’t have their own hatchery, but ISU and Department of Science and Technology is working on that. 75% of the fingerlings survive during the transport.

ISU is also doing research on species that are more tolerant to thermal shock (tolerant stress thermal shock research). They are also creating new food toe make fish more resistant to thermal shock.

3. Risks

- Supply of water to the fishponds

- Fish kill

- Loss of livelihood

4. Expectations of cooperatives

The expectations of the fisher folks are to have a simple technology that will provide/Sustain dissolved oxygen especially during summer; enhance their capacities in fish pond raising and post-harvest/entrepreneurial technologies.

5. Contacts

Ms. Dona Mae Reyes

CP# - +639179669011

Isabela State University