BFAR-Bikol Hails "Sleeping Fish" Inventor

Can live fish be transported without water?

Yes, it's not magic but through hibernation. This is what the multi-awarded Filipino Scientist Bonifacio "Boni" Comandante Jr. said of transporting live fishes for many hours without water such as grouper, tiger prawn, shrimps, snapper, seabass, tilapia, pompano, milkfish, shellfish and crabs by using what he calls the "Buhi Waterless Live Fish Transport Technology". He further said that given the favorable conditions of its environment (which is his trade secret), fishes hibernate or simply "sleeps" and then quickly awakes once brought back to water.

This breakthrough technology promises to generate huge savings for the cost of live fish shipment where it will eliminate the use of water which consists of 75% of the weight, improve the survival and appearance of fishes in tanks, save on fresh fish shipment (50% on weight of ice), better fish meat quality in taste and appearance and minimize stress and prevent onset of rigor mortis or stiffening of the flesh.

This world-class inventor from Siquijor province even successfully tested the waterless live fish technology on salmon (10 to 12 hours of transport time), abalone (14 to 18 hours) and yellowfin tuna in his research works in Australia.

As president of Buhi Marine Worldwide Suply, Inc., his list of clients in the country includes Saranggani Farms, Vitarich and Century PG. His company provides service for live fish transport without water.

BFAR National Director Malcolm Sarmiento said that this technology is a major breakthrough for the fisheries sector having witnessed it with his own eyes although he said that continuous tests will be conducted to ensure that no harmful residues are found. The initial laboratory tests of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in validating this technology including necropsy and hispathology showed no traces of toxins or abnormalities on the fishes.

Moreover, BFAR Regional Director Dennis del Socorro intends to tie-up with Mr. Comandante's technological innovations to be tested and introduced in Bicol Region. They made this agreement when they met recently when the latter presented his technology with Bikolano researchers and fisherfolk in Albay and Camarines Sur respectively.

Comandante is an Agricultural Engineer (2^nd placer in the Licensure Exam) from University of the Philippines and holds Masters Degree in Economics from Asian Social Institute(ASI) and Costal Resources Management from Siliman University.  He is also a candidate for PhD in Marine Biology and currently taking up PhD in Applied Cosmic Anthropology.

Among the awards he reaped for his innovations are: Finalist in the World Bank Development Market Place in Washington D.C., USA (2007); Winner at the Philippine Emerging Start-ups Open Biz Plan Challenge (2007); Winner at the World Bank Development Panibagong Paraan in Manila (2006); Pillar of Agricultural Development Award by the Department of Agriculture (2006); Inventor's Award by the Galing Pilipino Movement (2006); Best International Business Award by the University of San Francisco USA (2005); Outstanding Creative Research Award by the Department of Science and Technology (2005); and Innovations Award by the Department of Trade and Industry (2005). He was also featured in the Go Negosyo Book of 2007 as one of the 50 Successful Filipino Entrepreneurs with inspiring stories. On June 6-9, 2009 he will participate as contestant on a research paper competition at the International Institute on Food Technologists in Anaheim, California, USA with his research work on Innovations for Philippine Hand Line Tuna Fishermen and the Sashimi Trade. (rcanabe)