The declining population of the native freshwater fish ayungin, also known as silver therapon,is set to get a boost after a scientist devised a newsystem of growing its larvae in captivity. The hatchery technique was devised by Dr. Frolan A. Aya, a scientist of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, and granted a patent by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL) last Oct. 17, 2019. “Silver therapon, locally known as ayungin, is regarded as one of the most valuable edible native freshwater species because of its tasty flesh. Despite the declining trend in wild stocks of silver therapon, demand for this food fish species remains high. It is sold from Php 200 to Php 800 per kilo when dried and around Php 500 per kilo when fresh depending on the season and catch,” said Dr. Aya.

Ledesma, R. H. (2019, December 16). New hatchery technology to save endemic 'ayungin'. Daily Guardian, pp. 8, 9.