GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/14 April) — The provincial government of South Cotabato has allocated an initial P3 million for the rollout this year of innovative plastic fish cages to help improve the condition of the critical Lake Sebu.
Loida Villa, forest and inland water division chief of the Provincial Environment Management Office, said Tuesday the move mainly aims to replace the traditional bamboo fish pens at the lake with permanent and durable plastic fish cages.
She said the plastic fish cages that they will introduce are designed to help reduce the organic load and improve water circulation at the lake.
They are made of pipes and plastic containers that will also serve as the floaters, she explained.
“These will eventually minimize water pollution and other related problems at the lake,” Villa said.
The official said the use of the plastic fish cages will allow operators to save on their operational costs as they are assured of long-term use and with minimal maintenance.
She said it will further enhance the area’s aquaculture sector as well as the thriving tourism industry.
“We will eventually have uniform fish pen structures, which will greatly improve the lake’s overall landscape,’ she said.
Villa said they will initially offer the plastic fish cages to fish farmers and cage operators who are bonafide residents of Lake Sebu town.
She said they could avail of them through the local government’s “Convert Now, Pay Later” program.
