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Mosquito fish - It is known locally in Pangasinan as “Itar”
or “Tuyong” in Ilocano and “Katapa” in Tagalog. Generally, males reach
1.5 in (3.8 cm) and females 2.5 in (6.4 cm). These fish are
a livebearer species, and as such, the females are larger and more rounded than
the males. //february06,2018//Dagupancity,Pangasinan//jojo riñoza/manila
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Dagupan City, Pangasinan – With controversies
surrounding the Dengue vaccine - Dengvaxia and increasing number of suspected
dengue cases in Pangasinan, Fisheries expert at the National Integrated
Fisheries Technology and Development Center of the Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources (BFAR-NIFTDC) advocates
for the use of a “biological” but cheaper way to battle the virus-carrying
mosquito.
Increasing Dengue cases
In a recent report of the Provincial Heath Office (PHO), over
534 suspected cases of dengue were recorded in the province since January 1 to
February 5. This is 300% higher compared to the same period last year.
Ten (10) towns and cities are gravely affected and placed in
the dengue watch list. Urdaneta City has the higher incidence with 82 cases and
1 death followed by Binmaley with 40 cases and also 1 death reported. Other places
in the watch list are Santa Barbara, Lingayen, Mangaldan, Binalonan,
Pozzorubio, Asingan, San Carlos City and Bayambang.
“Ngayon po wala naman po tayong idinedeklarang epidemya
dahil wala naman pong clustering of cases at iniimbistigahan pa namin itong mga
kaso, tinitingnan naming kung ito ay magkakatabi o sa iisang barangay lamang”
(We are not declaring an epidemic because we haven’t seen any clustering of
cases and we are still investigating if the cases are clustered in a certain
area or village) PHO Chief Dr. Ana De Guzman said.
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| Technicians at the BFAR-NIFTDC catch some mosquito fish on their pond. |
Biological solution
On the other hand, BFAR-NIFTDC Chief Dr. Westly Rosario is
pushing for the use of mosquitofish in areas where mosquitos breed their larvae
and are susceptible to carry the deadly dengue virus.
With all these worries surrounding dengue, “it is important
to let the people know that we have a kind of fish that can live in places
where the mosquitos breed and this for
free, says Rosario.
It is known locally in Pangasinan as “Itar” or “Tuyong” in
Ilocano and “Katapa” in Tagalog. Generally, males reach 1.5 in
(3.8 cm) and females 2.5 in (6.4 cm). These fish are a
livebearer species, and as such, the females are larger and more rounded than
the males.
Mosquitofish eats large amount of mosquito larvae that can
reduce mosquito population and reduce the prevalence of diseases spread by
mosquitos. They are known natural predators of mosquitos and were used in other
countries to eradicate mosquito-born diseases like Malaria.
In 2012, Dr. Rosario introduced the mosquitofish in
Pangasinan as an alternative biological solution to battle the growing
occurrence of dengue in the province. But this was met with opposing views from
the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) claiming that
mosquitofish is an “invasive specie” and can be a threat to the environment.
Rosario explained, “although it is true that the mosquitofish
is invasive in nature, it has been with us for so many decades and never it
became a problem and for an instance, a threat to the environment.”
“In some parts of the country, it actually turn out to be a
food source for some people. It is also at the food chain of many bird species,”
he added.
He added that “Tilapia is also invasive and yet it is at the
top 2 of the Fish of Economic Importance of the Philippines. Tahong (mussels)
is also invasive specie, but it’s the top shellfish produce of the country.”
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| Technicians at the BFAR-NIFTDC catch some mosquito fish on their pond. |
“It is how you define invasive in a positive or negative
way. For me, the mosquitos-spreading deadly diseases are more “invasive” than
the mosquitofish. So the question is “who is the better invasive specie?” asks
Rosario.
Rosario said mosquitofish can easily breed and anybody can
avail it from us at the center, for free. It should be reintroduced systematically
and in strategic areas to be more effective against dengue and other
mosquito-born diseases.
Areas with high concentration of people like schools and
communities with abandoned water ponds, canals; areas where water is stagnant and
where dengue has been prevalent should be a priority.
