REPORT ON THE OCCURRENCE OF KNIFEFISH (Chitala ornata) IN LAGUNA DE BAY

In May 2011, the PAMALAKAYA (Fisherfolk Organization ) reported the alarming presence of knifefish in Laguna de Bay. This prompted BFAR to conduct rapid participatory community resource assessment. Key informants interviews traced the introduction of knifefish from escapement from aquaculture at the height of Typhoon Ondoy. 

The fish spawns naturally in the lake and the eggs are found adhering to the stakes and poles of the fishpens. The larva of fish enter and grow inside the pens and prey on the fingerlings of the cultured species (Tilapia, Bighead and Bangus) in Laguna Lake. The average harvest per boat is 100kgs/day or approximately average to 3 tons daily in the two landing sites surveyed. The fish is open caught by fish trap (baklad), fish seine (pukot) drift long line (Kitang) and manual push net (sakag).The fish is sold an average price of Php 15.00 per kilo and brought to Navotas and sold to processors as raw materials for chicharon, fish ball and other traditional value added products. Base on the information, the population of janitor fish has been declining since the appearance of knifefish in the lake.