Mapping of Potential Freshwater Fish and Shell Production Areas of Mountain Province. This study was done to map out the habitats of the different endemic fishes and shell species in various freshwater ecosystems in Mountain Province, showing various species' relative abundance, density, and spawning sites. The Project shall use the Geographic information system (GIS) facilities of CARASUC member agencies in the mapping analysis and visualization of spatial and temporal data relative to the aquatic resources of the Province. Recommendations 1. Training for the researchers on using the Geographic Information System (GIS) software application to analyze further and visualize the spatial and temporal data relative to aquatic resources of the Province. 2. Optimize the potential freshwater habitat for fish and shell production through GIS research endeavors to protect and conserve the habitats and the fish and shell species.

1. Abstract
BRENT GREG E. GOMUAD. May 2009. “Mapping of Potential Freshwater Fish and Shell
Production Areas of Mountain Province” Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, Tadian,
Mountain Province.
This study was done to map out the habitats of the different endemic fishes and shell
species in various freshwater ecosystems in Mountain Province, showing various species'
relative abundance, density, and spawning sites. The Project shall use the Geographic
information system (GIS) facilities of CARASUC member agencies in the mapping analysis
and visualization of spatial and temporal data relative to the aquatic resources of the Province.
The study was conducted in 6 municipalities of Mountain Province. In Western
Mountain Province, municipalities were represented by Tadian, Sabangan, and
Besao. Meanwhile, Natonin, Paracelis, and Bontoc represented eastern Mountain Province
municipalities.
The main hydrologic system of Bontoc is the Chico River, which drains along the
midsection of the municipality northward to Sadanga, Mountain Province, and towards
Kalinga Province. The total drainage of the river systems is estimated at 51 hectares with an
aggregate total of 108 kilometers. There were no specific data on the hydrologic systems
of Natonin but had major rivers and streams namely: Manangar, Pap-arong, Opet, Monamon,
Naropa-an, Omaneb-eb, Lanah, Manhafar, Laken, Balisangay, Saliok-Siffu, (Saliok) and
Kadaclan-Siffu (Lagan/Tufuy) Lower Tanudan; and Barlig has Upper Tanudan, Upper
Kadaclan Siffu and Betwagan. Meanwhile, Paraceles has two main rivers, the Siffu River and
the Mallig River. Siffu River tributaries are the Kadaclan –Siffu River, Saliok River, and the
Paracelis River, which have a total drainage of 56,304 hectares. The Mallig River is also a
tributary of the Cagayan River, which converges at Kalinga Province. Its watershed is located
north and comprises approximately 85% of the municipality's total land area. Its tributaries
are the Bananao and Walawad Creek, and the Camaguan Creek, with a total drainage of
26,026 hectares.
There is a dearth of information on the hydrologic of the municipalities of western
Mountain Province; however, based from the geographical map of Besao, Sabangan, and
Tadian reveals the presence of major rivers and headwaters to major rivers in the Province
like the Chico and Abra rivers.
The fishpond/farm area of the Province ranges from 20- 500 m2, while areas of fish tank
culture range from 3-5 m2. Fishes and shells found in western and eastern Mountain Province
did not significantly differ in terms of their habitat or place where they can be found.
With the result of mapping the different municipalities of Mountain Province, which
included the descriptions of their physical characteristics, particularly their hydrologic
systems, it could be concluded that:
1. All of the municipalities of Mountain Province are bound with freshwater habitats for fish
and shell production.
2. Physical characteristics of the hydrologic systems favor the mass production of fish and
shell species, as indicated by their presence in all the municipalities of Mountain Province.
3. Fisherfolks or community people associated with freshwater fishes and shells, either
through production, consumption, marketing, etc., are found within the municipalities of the
Province

2. Recommendations
1. Training for the researchers on using the Geographic Information System (GIS) software
application to analyze further and visualize the spatial and temporal data relative to aquatic
resources of the Province.
2. Optimize the potential freshwater habitat for fish and shell production through GIS research
endeavors to protect and conserve the habitats and the fish and shell species.