The Fisheries of Liguasan Marsh, North Cotabato, Mindanao, Philippines

Abstract

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Office 12-National Stock Assessment Program (NSAP) covered six sampling stations around Liguasan Marsh to conduct a stock assessment on the freshwater fishes landed in Bagoinged, Datu Mantil, Malingao, Matilac, Ponol, and Tombras in North Cotabato, Philippines. The study was conducted from 2015 to 2017. Results of the study showed that Channa striata, Cyprinus carpio, Labeo rohita, and Oreochromis niloticus were the most common freshwater species caught by the fishing gears operating in Liguasan Marsh. A total of 13 species were found during the study; ten were introduced and three were native. Data analysis using length frequency data of the dominant freshwater species in Liguasan Marsh was found to be alarming. Froese and Lbar performance indicators were already breaching the limit reference points. In addition, exploitation rates were observed to be above the limit of 0.6, and the distribution of the length sizes of the dominant fishes caught showed excessive capture of immature sizes. Therefore, the study recommends continuing stock assessment activity and conducting further studies in Liguasan Marsh to investigate further the stock status of the fisheries in Liguasan Marsh, North Cotabato.