International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume VI, Issue IX, September 2022|ISSN 2454-6186
Supply Chain Analysis of Clown Knife Fish (Chitala Ornata) in Laguna, Philippines
Lyka Mae. U Sahagun1, Donabel C. Arevalo2, Jayson N. Olayta2
1 Researcher, Laguna State Polytechnic University, Siniloan, Laguna, Philippines
2Faculty Researcher, Laguna State Polytechnic University, Siniloan, Laguna, Philippines
Abstract: Clown knife fish (Chitala ornate) locally known as arwana is one of the invasive freshwater fish in the Laguna Lake that affects the production of tilapia and other fishes cultured in the lake. Due to the massive number of clown knife fish, it was found out by the local fisherfolks that there is a potential for clown knife fish for processing purposes. The study was conducted to obtain primary data that will serve as first hand data since there were no studies conducted in particular to this commodity within the locality. With this the study was conducted to determine the supply chain of clown knife fish in the Province of Laguna, Philippines. Descriptive research design was used in the study following the purposive sampling technique which complete enumeration of registered fisherfolks in the locale was served as respondents. Data was analyzed using frequency counts and percentage. Data obtained in the study shows that there is a potential for economic aspect of the fisherfolks since there are processors bought there catch. Also, data revealed that the clown knife fish were brought to international level for food and processing purposes. With the identified potential of clown knife fish, the production of other freshwater fishes is increasing due to the population of clown fish are lessen. Also, the government may develop production practices to sustain the supply of clown knife fish.
Keywords: supply chain, Chitala ornata, intermediaries, profitability, marketing practices, fisherfolks
I. INTRODUCTION
Clown Knifefish (Chitala ornata) is one of the commodities that are commonly found around the aquatic structure such as rocks, wood, and aquatic vegetation in lakes or more in-depth pools of rivers. An underwater structure is used as a daytime shelter as well as a spawning substrate. In the wild, the clown knife fish can grow to be around 100cm long and weigh around 5 kilograms. Clown knifefish are carnivorous, devouring crustaceans, insects, and fishes. This is a species that is active at night (Poulsen et al. 2004).
According to the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Clown Knifefish was introduced in the Philippines through the ornamental fish trade. It occurs naturally in swamps, lakes, and rivers of Southeast Asia and South America. The abundant supply and poor demand for knife fish result in massive investment losses in the livelihoods of individuals who rely on the fishing business. Even though it has low market demand and is unknown to some people, that was the reason also to make more research about clown knife fish. Having this kind of disadvantages in this commodity, there is a potential for this resources to be marketable since it can be processed into fish