Conservation urged to save native catfish

The bighead catfish (Clarias macrocephalus), one of two native catfish species, was once a popular meal and is found in lakes, ponds, and rice fields across the Philippines. Based on studies and anecdotal reports, it is now found only in Cagayan, Quezon, Palawan, Agusan del Sur, and Liguasan Marsh. The native catfish industry has been neglected in favor of the African catfish. “Most of our farmers are growing African catfish,” said Rosenio Pagador, an information specialist of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) based in Tigbauan, Iloilo.