Bangus poop eyed as source of biogas

Soon, bangus poop could be something more than just something for fish pen workers to clean up: it could soon be a source of renewable energy – like biogas.

An Italian company is now studying how to convert the waste from the milkfish into biogas, GMA Dagupan's Joanne Ponsoy reported Thursday.

If successful, the manure from the fish could be used to help power appliances, resulting in savings in electric bills.

For now, bangus growers like Serafin Salayog may have to clean fish pens of the waste.

"Kapag hinravest ang bangus tinatanggal namin ang (dumi) ng bangus sa ilalim ng tubig," he said.

Alaminos City Mayor Arthur Celeste said that if chicken manure could be used as a source of renewable energy, so should waste from milkfish.

"Kung pwedeng gamitin ang (dumi) ng manok, pwede rin ang (dumi) ng bangus," he said.

If the waste conversion process is found feasible, it could be an added incentive to remove fish waste from the water, and in turn make the water cleaner and reduce fish kill and red tide especially in western Pangasinan.

Pangasinan is one of the country's top producers of bangus.

"Yung pinaggalingan niya, mabilis na naka-recover kaysa kung papabayaan na lang doon. Makakatulong talaga," said Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 1 director Nestor Domenden. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News