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The Top Food Fish of the Philippine Elite

pinoy-akoPosted for Everyone to comment on, 3 years ago2 min read

Note: This was one of @darthnava's old Steemit posts re-published here with his permission.

(Image from first source)


The Ludong also called “banak”, the “president’s fish,” lobed river mullet and scientifically named Cestraeus plicatilis, is the most expensive food fish in the Philippines. It is widely proclaimed to be the most delicious fish in the country. It is the top choice of presidents, high-ranking politicians, royalty, the elite of Filipino society and Hollywood stars. It was the favorite dish of the late Philipine President and dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos.

This food fish costs about 5,000 Philippine Pesos or about 100 U.S. Dollars per kilogram if you would like to try the Ludong’s special taste and aroma.

The Ludong is commonly found in the Cagayan Valley region which is in the northernmost part of the Philippines and along the Pacific Ocean. The Cagayan Valley region is the best known habitation of the Ludong in the world.

This fish was once believed to be a yearly gift from a river goddess to the Ibanags, the native people who live by the Cagayan River.

The Ludong is endangered because of its prized value and may soon become extinct. The more rare it becomes, the more expensive it gets. The Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported that from 2002 to 2003, no Ludong were caught at all. Poachers are being paid in advance to get the fish when they are spawning, giving the poor mature Ludong less time to breed.

The weight of the Ludong these days is getting smaller, only less than 10 ounces compared to 5.5 pounds just a few years ago.

The Philippine BFAR has imposed a 5 years ban on the fishing of Ludong. They are also experimenting on breeding the valuable food fish in captivity, and educating the local people on the need and value to preserve it.



Sources:
https://news.abrenian.com/2011/11/28/special-report-conserving-the-presidents-fish/
http://www.localpulse.net/facebook-popular/meet-expensive-fish-ph-p5000-kilo-4065/
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.304601212981098.71498.303896669718219&type=3


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