Inland Fish Diversity and Conservation Challenges in Pulang River, Central Mindanao, Philippines
Onofre S. Corpuz
*
Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato, Philippines.
Zainudin T. Genso
Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato, Philippines.
Esmael L. Abas
Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato, Philippines.
Husna T. Lumapenet
Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato, Philippines.
Judy Rose C. Alamada
Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato, Philippines.
Lyrie Anne P. Gabini
Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato, Philippines.
Mahirah B. Salik
Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato, Philippines.
Janell P. Loquere
Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato, Philippines.
Datuali M. Akmad
Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato, Philippines.
Onofre Jaame S. Corpuz
Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato, Philippines.
Raiza M. Usop
Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato, Philippines.
Fatimah C. Dilangalen
Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato, Philippines.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study investigated the diversity of inland fishes from three municipal sites Carmen; President Roxas; and Matalam along pulangi river in Cotabato Philippines. Fish were captured using various methods, including fish trap, gill net, cast net and man-push net.
A total of 148 inland fish were captured during data collection in September and December 2024. There were nine inland fish species identified: Indian Rohucarp (Labeo rohita), Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio), Spotted Barb (Barbose binotatus), Janitor fish (Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus), Banak (Cestraeus plicatilis), Giant Gourami (Osphronemus goramy),Kasili (Anguilla marmorata),Biya (Glossogobius giuris), and Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Among the caught inland fishes, the Indian Rohucarp exhibits the highest species caught, dominance, abundance, density, and importance values.
The low fish diversity observed was attributed to environmental factors such as industrial pollution, anthropogenic activities, and unsuitable farming practices.
Keywords: Inland fisheries, fish diversity, dominance, fishing gears, aquatic ecosystems, fishing practices, fish population dynamics