CANDABA – The “turtle phenomenon” in this town has been blamed for the recent financial reverses experienced by several fishpond operators here.
According to Bong Mangalino, a fishpond owner, the presence of turtles in their area is now affecting the whole industry’s income.
“Sobrang dami na ng mga pawikan sa mga fishing grounds natin. Ang problema, kinakain pala ng mga ito yung mga alagang isda natin. Kinakagat nila yung bahaging may hasang at tiyan ng isda,” Mangalino said.
He recalled that during Typhoon Pedring, most of the fishpond operators on the other side of the control dike in Barangay Mandasig rejoiced after surviving floods, thinking they could still recover their investment.
However, they were surprised when they noticed dead fish floating in their fishponds from time to time.
“Nang magpatuyo kami, ang konti ng natirang isda. Pawikan na lamang ang natira na naging peste sa aming negosyo,” another fishpond operator here said.
Mangalino claimed that despite his investment of more than 50,000 fingerlings, only three tons were gathered during harvest season.
“Kailangan siguro tulungan kami ng kinauukulang ahensiya na sugpuin ang pagdami ng mga pawikan,” he added.
It was learned that most of the turtles come from nearby streams and fishponds. Some claim these turtles were originally cultured for consumption in restaurants.
