City dad leads probe on ‘white spots’ infection on Zambo fishponds

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan. 31 (PNA) -- Councilor Miguel Alavar, III has requested the help of the concerned agencies to ascertain the causes of the “white spots” infection that kills crustaceans on fishponds east of this city.

Alavar’s request came after reports reached his office that such infection have already affected the livelihood of hundreds of farmers engaged in prawns and crabs fattening in Sitio SPDA, Barangay Vitali.

Barangay Vitali, which is located 73 kilometers east of this city, is the main source of crabs, lobsters and prawns since crustacean farming is the main source of livelihood of the majority of residents in the area.

The farmers informed Alavar during his visit to Vitali two days ago that the crabs and prawns die because of the “white spots” a month after placed on fishponds for fattening.

Alavar said he noticed that the farmers engaged in prawn farming were also infected with rashes and “they are complaining the water is very itchy.”

He said that mud and water samples were brought to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for laboratory analysis to ascertain why the crabs and prawns are infected with white spots.

“Whether this incident is caused by the mining (in Vitali) as claimed by some residents, climate change, or other things, it should be properly investigated,” he said.

However, he was informed there is no mining activity yet that is taking place in Barangay Vitali since the firm that applied for Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) to extract iron ore is still on the exploration stage.

Alavar is very much concerned about the white spot infection since his family is among those engaged in prawn farming in the Vitali area.

Alavar belongs to the family who owns the known Alavar Seafoods House. (PNA)
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