Milkfish growers in Dagupan City are monitoring their fish ponds closely after a suspected parasite has killed some milkfish.

Industry groups said, however, that the province's overall supply remains stable.

The monitoring follows cases of gataw, or floating milkfish, reported in several fish ponds in the city.

Fish growers and the City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (CFARMC) are monitoring a suspected parasite they believe is affecting some farmed milkfish.

Louie de Guzman, president of the CFARMC, said the suspected pest, known locally as "baboy-baboy," attaches to the gills of milkfish, which can kill the fish.

Fish growers described the suspected parasite as resembling lice or small worms.

"Ang problema namin dito, parang may peste. 'Yung ang tawag sa amin dito ay 'baboy-baboy.' 'Yung pumapasok sa hasang ng bangus. Kapag napasok noon, kasi noong last week pa, kapag nadaanan ka nun, nangangamatay talaga. Mababawasan 'yung alaga mong bangus," he said.

The CFARMC said only a small percentage of fish ponds appear to have been affected, so far, based on reports from growers. The council has coordinated with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to monitor the situation closely.

Fish growers have also taken preventive measures to limit the spread of the suspected pest.

Angelito Sayson, a milkfish grower, said they remove or eliminate the parasites immediately once detected.

"Hindi na rin kasi maiiwasan kapag andiyan na ang peste. Kaya kami, ang ginagawa namin, kapag ano 'yung tambak diyan, tinitingnan namin, tapos nilalason na namin 'yung mga peste," Sayson said.

BFAR Region 1 has yet to issue a statement on the reported cases involving the suspected parasite and its source, as of this writing.

Meanwhile, the Samahang Magbabangus ng Pangasinan (SAMAPA) assured consumers that milkfish production and supply in the province remain stable despite the isolated reports.

"Nandiyan pa rin ang production level natin. Okay naman tayo with regards to the supply," Aldo Sibayan, President of SAMAPA, said.