STOCK ASSESSMENT OF THREADFIN BREAM BISUGO IN

RAGAY GULF

MAUREEN E. MALIWANAG

SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY JUDGE

GUILLERMO ELEAZAR

MARCH 2023
 Chapter 1

Introduction

The commonly or the popular name of this fish in our hometown is “Lagaw” which by
research discovered that it was named as Bisugo in Tagalog or Ornate Threadfin Bream fish in
English. This fish is a popular seafood recipe of most Filipinos. “ Bisugo fish (Threadfin bream)
is
one top fish that I love in cooking Paksiw na isda (fish in vinegar sauce). These fish are found in
tropical waters of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans.The meat of the Bisugo fish (Threadfin
bream) is white and they are oily fish. These oily fish is avital source of essential fatty acids and
contains a wide variety of vitamins and minerals”

The Threadfin Breams consist of the family Nemipteridae within the order Perciformes.
They are also known as whiptail breams and false snappers. They are found in tropical waters of
the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. Most species are benthic carnivores, preying on
smaller fishes, cephalopods, crustaceans and polychaetas; however, a few species eat plankton.
There are a variety of popular fish sold in the Philippine markets. As an archipelago, the
Philippines
is rich with bodies of water with thousands of cities right next to the ocean. Because of this, the
country has an abundant supply of fish. One of the most popular of these fish is the Bisugo or
“Jobfish/Goatfish” in English. Sometimes, it is also called a threadfin bream.

These fish have a distinct pinkish of light reddish color accented by yellow highlights.
Additionally, they are also called whiptail breams and false snappers. These fish are common in
the wet markets of the Philippines where they sell a variety of fish. Aside from this, the fish
species
could also be found in the Indian and Western Pacific ocean. Along with this, the fish gained
popularity due to being a versatile ingredient in many Filipino dishes. Some of these dishes
include
“Daing na Bisugo” and “Pinagat” which taste like something in between sinigang and paksiw.
Additionally, the dish is best paired with hot rice and is very healthy and packs a lot of flavors.
Stock assessments provide fisheries managers with the information that is used in the regulation
of
a fish stock. Biological and fisheries data are collected in a stock assessment. A wide array of
biological data may be collected for an assessment. These include details on the age structure of
the stock, age at first spawning, fecundity, ratio of males to females in the stock, natural mortality
(M), fishing mortality (F), growth rate of the fish, spawning behavior, critical habitats, migratory
habits, food preferences, and an estimate of either the total population or total biomass of the
stock.

The following data regarding fisheries activities is collected: the kinds of fisherman in the
fishery, commercial versus recreational, and the gear that is used (longline, rod and reel, nets,
etc.),
pounds of fish caught by each type of fisherman, the fishing effort each kind of fisherman
expends,
the age structure of the fish harvested by each group of fisherman, the ratio of males to females
that
are captured, how the fish are marketed, the value of the fish to the different fisherman groups,
and
the time and geographic location of the best catches. Also in the assessment, geographical
boundaries of different stocks or populations are defined. From the combined biological and
fisheries data, the current status and condition of the stock is defined and managers use this
assessment to predict how in the future, stocks will respond to varying levels of fishing pressure.
Ultimately managers want to reduce the level of overfishing that occurs and restore stocks that
have
been overfished.
Objectives
Usually, the future and research study aim to assess the stock assessment of Threadfin
Bream (Bisugo) in Ragay Gulf. Precisely, it pursues to do the following;

1. Determine the socio-demographic profile of the respondents.

2. The fishing gear that catch the species;

3. The growth , mortality and exploitation rate of the species.

Significance of the Study
The result of this study will provide new information and data base for the management
and conservation of the stock. Results of the study will likewise provide first hand information on
concerned local government agencies that will enable them to institute management measures for
conservation and stocks sustainability. This will provide baseline information as basis and
strategies for Threadfin Bream Bisugo management and may be basis for further and future
research activities in Ragay Gulf. Similarly, the results of the study will draw awareness among
fishers and stakeholders of the need to regulate the collection of threadfin bream bisugo in the
area. This will also initiate long term fishing for fishermen.