EEL CULTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES

In 1973, a project to evaluate the feasibility of culturing native anguillid eels as an export product was undertaken by the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries. Species identification, distribution and relative abundance of elvers, and culture feasibility were studied. Three species of anguillid eels were identified in streams throughout the north coastal region of Luzon Island: Anguilla marmorata, A. celebesensis, and A. bicolor pacifica. Elvers of all three species migrated simultaneously. Only A. bicolor pacifica appears suitable for commercial culture at present. Commercial quantities of elvers were found only in the Cagayan River. During 1973–74, 2.2 metric tons of elvers were collected from this river. In culture experiments, elvers grew well on a ration of ground fish with vitamin additives and showed a 6:1 feed conversion. A pelleted feed appeared desirable for fingerling and larger eels (>3g). Elvers succumbed to oxygen concentrations less than 2ppm; fingerling and larger eels were more tolerant of low dissolved oxygen. Mean water temperature of 25.3 C appeared suitable for year-round culture. Commercial culture operations were toured at the conclusion of the Bureau of Fisheries Project. Initial developments, problems and potentials were evaluated.