Legal Measures to Conserve LUDONG: The Most Expensive Fish in the Philippines
Have you eaten the most expensive fish in the Philippines? President's fish or LUDONG is dubbed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) as the most expensive fish in the Philippines. A kilo of this fish would cost as much as P5,000.00. It got its name as the President's fish because it was the favorite of former President Ferdinand Marcos because of its unique taste and distinctive aroma. But because of overfishing, this fish is becoming endangered. Thus, efforts are made to protect it. In 1952, Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 31 was issued to: 1. Aim to conserve Ludongs in Northern Luzon 2. Prohibit to capture, purchase, sale, preparation, and serving of LUDONG for private or public consumption during its seasonal migration (October to January) 3. Prohibit the use of tabukol or cast nets of large meshes, tabak or small drag seine for river fishing, or pateng or cylindrical fish pot for catching mullet in the Cagayan River