Abstract
In support to policy formulation of fisheries in Agusan Marsh, a stock assessment was conducted for the period of May 2014 to December 2016 using the data collected from Lapaz and Talacogon, Agusan del Sur within the Agusan Marsh. Results showed that Lapaz contributed 54% of the catch over Talacogon. A total of eighteen species, belonging to 13 genera and 11 families with 7 native and 11 introduced species were found in the marsh. Majority of the total catch consisted of Channa striata, Oreochromis niloticus, and Cyprinus carpio (35%, 27%, and 26%, respectively). Osphronemus laticlavius, Glossogobius celebius and Mugil cephalus were listed as seasonal species. An invasive janitor fish (Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus) was observed as by-catch. A strong pattern of high catch rates occurred during the rainy months of January, February, June, and December. Ten types of commonly used fishing gears were found, majority of which include fish pots, set gillnets, electrofishing and set long lines. Multivariate analysis showed similarity in species composition both in Lapaz and Talacogon. Exploitation of dominant species showed unsustainable level for O. niloticus, C. batrachus, C. caprio, andC. gariepinus, mainly due to excessive capture of immaturesized fishes by major fishing gears. The estimated exploitation rate is beyond the optimum level for O. niloticus and C. carpio in both years and followed by C. striata and C. gariepinus in 2016. Only C. bartachus is estimated to be exploited below the optimum level. Generally, the key species in Agusan Marsh are at risk of overfishing, hence, immediate policy measures must be given high attention.
Highlights
Agusan Marsh is one of the most ecologically significant wetlands in the Philippines, found in the heart of Mindanao’s Agusan Basin, where rivers, creeks and tributaries, mainly in the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Compostela Valley converge and drain northward to Agusan River and in Butuan Bay
1,354 or 52% were fishers, while the rest were involved in various activities like gleaning (21.7%), fish vending (6%), aquaculture (2.6%), fish processing (1.4%), and other activities (15.9%). This only shows that many fisherfolk are highly dependent on the fisheries resources in Agusan Marsh for daily subsistence and for generating income
The species beyond threshold includes O. niloticus and C. carpio ranging from 92-95% and 8994%, respectively
Summary
Agusan Marsh is one of the most ecologically significant wetlands in the Philippines, found in the heart of Mindanao’s Agusan Basin, where rivers, creeks and tributaries, mainly in the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Compostela Valley converge and drain northward to Agusan River and in Butuan Bay. The main habitats of the Marsh are the freshwater swamp forest (with Terminalia, peat swamp and sago palm forest subtypes), secondary scrub, herbaceous swamp, open water (oxbow/floodplain lakes, pools), and flowing water (rivers, streams). The marsh has been declared a protected site under NIPAS (1994), Presidential Proclamation 913 (1996), and RAMSAR (1999). The Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary covers less than 111,540 ha in 8 municipalities of Agusan del Sur. Recently the Agusan Marsh was placed high on the list of Philippine nominations to the World Heritage Natural Sites. The Agusan Marsh was placed high on the list of Philippine nominations to the World Heritage Natural Sites. (Primavera and Tumanda 2008)
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