Philippines – Gonzaga, 16 November 2009

The regional Director for the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Mrs. Jovita P. Ayson had suggested to Heiko Bleher to do research in the unspoiled and untouched Wangag River in Gonzaga, Peña Blanca. And with the kind help of Gonzaga’s Municipal Mayor Heiko was able to do an inventory of this pristine river…

The regional Director of BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources), Mrs. Jovita P. Ayson introduced Heiko Bleher to the hon. Rosendo P. Abad, Municipal Mayor of Gonzaga (top, centre) and the latter gave Heiko the permit and helpful guides to do research in the pristine Wangag River in the region of Sierra Madre, Luzon. The Wangag River has received several Awards of Excellence from the President of the Philippines. All these awards are standing in the main office of the Mayor of Gonzaga.

_{The hon. Mayor Abad also gave another car to reach the area (in addition to the one Stanley Chung from Manila had given to Heiko, with his driver Jonathan and the breeder Eric, to drive all the way up north), and additional men to help. The hon. Mayor also made an exception for the use just for Heiko’s research a electric fishing gear, which is normally prohibited. For about one hour we drove up hill to Barangay St. Clara for additional guides. Here they harvest also corn and dry it in the sun.}

_{After St. Clara there was only a 4-wheel-track and I drove until no further go. From here we had to walk and then climb down across this jungle to reach this beautiful, untouched Wangag River with its crystal clear water. And I had to test it right away with the equipment kindly supplied by AQUASTAR in Greece. And I found there:}

_{…an unrecorded halfbeak, male (above) and female…}

_{…one, possibly two, freshwater moray eel species…}

_{…beautiful gobies…}

_{…and gorgeous snails and shrimps}

_{I also researched the lower Wangag River:}

_{…with Khulia rubrestes…}

_{…more gobies, pipefishes, and…}

…fantastic coloured shrimps (possibly new), jewels for any Nano-aquarium ! (The scientific names will follow in a upcoming report.)

Thank you hon. Mayor of Gonzaga, and thank you Mrs. Abad (Heiko here with the Mayor and his kind wife in front of their house in Gonzaga, where he had been invited for a cup of tea and cake after work). Thank You BFAR. Hopefully we will be able to research and catalogue all the remaining freshwater fishes of the Philippines before it is to late…

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