Species composition of by-catch from milkfish (Chanos chanos) fry fishery in selected sites in the Philippines as determined by DNA barcodes

Abstract

Milkfish fry fishery, an important industry in the Philippines, uses non-selective fishing gears and push nets in coastal areas which lead to the capture of other non-targeted juvenile aquatic species. Unfortunately, information on the amount and the identity of by-catch species is lacking thus the extent of impact of the fry fishery is not known. In this study, the species composition of milkfish fry fishery by-catch sampled from selected coastal areas that are known to be fry collection sites in the country were identified and assessed through the use of DNA barcoding. Analyses revealed that by-catch fish species of the milkfish fry industry included Black Tiger shrimp (Peneaus monodon), Tarpon (Megalops cyprinoides), Glass perchlets (Ambasis gymnocephalus and Ambasis buruensis), Ladyfish (Elops hawaiensis), Snapper (Lutjanus fulviflamma), Cardinal fishes (Apogon hyalosoma and Sphaeramia orbicularis), Whipfin siver biddy (Gerres filamentosus), Mullet (Liza sp.), Anchovy (Encrasicholina heteroloba), and Tiger perch (Terapon jarbua), almost all of which are potential marketable food fish and culture species. The results of the study provide preliminary information, as well as awareness, on the species composition of milkfish fry by-catch.

• By-catch
• Chanos chanos
• DNA barcoding
• juvenile fish
• Philippines

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director, Asis G. Perez, for spearheading the study on Bangus (Milkfish) fry assessment and for giving the necessary funding. We would also like to express gratitude to the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) and to all those who are in the Genetic Fingerprinting Laboratory (NFRDI-GFL) especially to Jacquelyn Marjorie Pereda and Emma Rose Nazareno, as well as the BFAR regional offices and fishery offices in the sampling sites for providing assistance throughout the study.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.