FISH farming in Dagupan City, which produces the tasty bangus, is under serious threat from coliform bacteria coming out from homes, factories and even from poultry and piggery farms along or near local rivers.

This was contained in the latest Fish Health Diagnostic and Microbiology Laboratory Report released by the government-owned National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (NIFTDC) here.

The report prepared by Evelyn Dangla, aquaculturists II, and noted by NIFTDC chief Dr. Westly Rosario, was based on samples of water obtained from 13 designated sites along the Dagupan River System and analyzed on Feb. 13, 2006 for Total and Fecal Coliform Most Probable Number (MPN).

The report stated that samples from barangays Sabangan, Pugaro, Dawel, Lasip Grande, Bacayao Sur and Lasip Chico, all of Dagupan City contained total coliform bacteria above the maximum acceptable limit of 5,000 MPN Total Coliform bacteria for Class C type of water.

Class C type of water is fishery water which is being used for the propagation and growth of fish and other aquatic resources.

The highest Total Coliform count was registered in the water of Lasip Grande at 240,000 MPN, followed by the water of Dawel at 92,000 MPN, and the water of Lasip Chico at 54,000 MPN.
On the other hand, samples from Calamiong, Mamalingling; Tambac-Mamalingling and Lucao, also of Dagupan City, and Dupo and Gayaman contained Total Coliform bacteria below the maximum limit of 5,000 MPN.

Dangla said the laboratory analyses of the water of the Dagupan River system covers the entire duration of the dry season when the climate is not changing.

She said the total coliform count in the Dagupan river system and in other rivers for that matter changes during the rainy season where turbidity is high and debris and other solid materials are mixed into the water.

Dangla advised fish farmers to reduce the number of fish pens in the river system as these are being loaded with fish feeds particles of which may not be consumed by the fish and stay in the water to decay.