Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College

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Abstract

The Asian swamp eels (Monopterus albus) which is locally known as Kolukol have been found to be occupying the rice fields of Barangay Remedios, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur. Unfortunately, the diaspora and presence of these eels remain undocumented. In such context, this study was conducted to describe the diaspora and presence of these eels. Specifically, this study determined their characteristics, the farmers’ fishing activities, and the common Kolukol dishes as experienced and observed by the farmers. Through interviews with the farmers, the study revealed that Kolukols, which occupied an estimated 2,666-hectare of rice fields, have anguilliform body, do not have scales, slippery, no fins, with gill openings merged into single slit underneath the head, is red to brown with a sprinkling of dark flecks across their backs, have large mouths and small eyes, bloody when cut, and go out at night. The study also discovered that the farmers use machete, their hands, and spear to catch these eels. After one (1) or two (2) hours of fishing, they can bring home at least three (3) kilograms of Kolukol. With the caught Kolukols, the common dishes out of them are paksiw, tinuno, and prinito. Based on these findings, the study concludes that potential of Kolukol in food product development is yet to be explored. As such, studies should be conducted on developing products out of Kolukol. 

Full Article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56901/GKIF3795

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