BUGUEY, Cagayan — Already known as the Crab Capital and Malaga Capital of the North, the coastal municipality of Buguey is on track to earn another distinction—Bangus Capital of Cagayan—following the successful harvest of 1.93 metric tons of marketable-sized milkfish from a Circular High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) fish cage, an innovative aquaculture system, on June 5, 2025, in Barangay Minanga Este.

This initiative marks a significant step forward in the town’s aquaculture industry, aligning with the national government’s push for modernized and sustainable fish farming practices. The Circular HDPE fish cage technology, introduced by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in 2023, is currently being implemented in select areas across the region.

Installed on December 14, 2024, in the Buguey Lagoon, the Circular HDPE fish cage offers numerous advantages over traditional galvanized iron (GI) frame cages. These include enhanced durability, reduced maintenance requirements, improved fish health, and greater operational efficiency, making it a preferred system for sustainable aquaculture.

The pilot project in Buguey town, began with the stocking of 8,000 milkfish fry, which were cultured over a period of four and a half months. The harvest result has inspired optimism among the locals.

“We believe that with proper management and continued support, this project will provide a stable source of income and strengthen food security in our community,” said Mr. Joseph Pagay, president of the Minanga Este Fish Cage Operators Association.

The harvest activity was witnessed by Mayor Licerio Millare Antiporda III, along with representatives from DA-BFAR Region 2, the Provincial Fishery Office of Cagayan, members of the association, LGU staff, and the local fishing community.