Thousands of fishpen owners in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, are reeling from heavy losses after Super Typhoon #UwanPH destroyed their fishpens and washed away their bangus stock.

Clarito Bravo, a fisherman, said they had prepared for the storm but were caught off guard by the sudden rise of the river’s water level where their fishpens were situated.

“Kung yung damage po, matindi, matinding-matindi po kasi karamihan halos lahat lumubog at natumba kaya nagsilabasan,” Bravo said.

Bravo, who owns a fishpen in one of Dagupan’s island barangays, said the losses left many fish farmers demoralized.

“Low morale kasi nanghihinayang kasi nga wala nang mapapakain sa loob ng fish pen. Luging-lugi lalo na ‘yung mga malalaking fish pen, halos milyon po ang lugi,” he added.

In Barangay Salapingao alone, reports from the barangay council show more than 1,500 fish cage owners were affected, with several sustaining losses reaching millions of pesos.

Barangay Councilman Luisito de Guzman said they are now conducting assessment and validation to include all affected fish farmers in their official list for possible government assistance.

“Lahat ng damage o nakawalang isda, dapat ilista para isama sa national para kung may ibigay na tulong, makakatulong din sa amin mangingisda,” De Guzman said.

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) is hopeful that the government will provide aid for the affected fish farmers.

“Itanong natin sa Department of Agriculture kung may allocation for fishery kasi so far ‘yung naka-allocate is sa rice farmers,” SINAG chairman Engr. Rosendo So said.