TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan - - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 2 is initiating research on possible by-products to be derived from the invasive janitor fish, which is a current threat to freshwater biodiversity. 

Angel Encarnacion, BFAR Regional Director, said that the agency has partnered with the Cagayan State University's research unit to determine if essential oils can be extracted from the said fish species. Fish oil is used as a food supplement. 

He also said they will further study if the fish species can be processed as fish meal or livestock feed.

Encarnacion confirmed that fishermen in the Pinacanauan River in this city continuously catch janitor fish, also known as armoured catfish, which are believed to be dangerous for human consumption as they may possess toxins. 

"We sent samples to our laboratory in our central office for examination if the janitor fishes have metal content and determine if they are safe for human consumption as we heard that some are eating it. Though it is edible, it is unsafe because of its behavior of consuming metal bits and solid waste dumped into the river," Encarnacion said. 

Encarnacion said they have not established yet how the fish species reached the river, but he theorized that they might have come from private ponds or aquariums that were washed out towards the river during the megaflooding that happened in this province in the recent years. 

Apple Usquisa, aquaculturist, urged fisherfolk to surrender their catch of janitor fish to the BFAR. Otherwise, they must ensure not to return them to the river in order for their population to be eradicated as they may cause ecological damage and economic loss. 

"It (janitor fish population) may, later on, reduce the [edible] fish catch of the fisherfolk so we need to address this as early as possible," Usquisa said. (JKC/OTB/PIA Region 2)