Agriculture.ph Blog

Bonifacio Comandante, Jr. is a Filipino inventor responsible for the waterless transport of live fish technology. Boni Comandante, a pride of Dumaguete, is a graduate of Marine Biology at Silliman University.

In 1987, Mr. Comandante was experimenting on the sex reversal of groupers in Palawan in preparation for the fish hatchery to be established. During one of his experiments, he accidentally discovered the “anti-stress salt solution” that allows fish to hibernate. This started the tale of the sleeping fish. However, Mr. Comandante did not launch his invention until after he was successful in defending it at Silliman University in 2003 as his thesis for his Master’s Degree in Coastal Resource Management.

The waterless transport of live fish involves this process:

1. Fishes to be shipped undergo a process of conditioning where they are starved and held for 24 hours in seawater set at a desired temperature.
2. The fishes are then dipped with an organic anti-stress solution called the Buhi Blend to stun the fishes and put them to sleep. This slows the metabolism and reduces breathing rate of fishes.
3. The sleeping fishes are then put and arranged in boxes filled with oxygen. These boxes are sealed to be ready for transport.
4. The transported fishes will recover their consciousness after around 22 hours.

The technology gained international recognition and won both local and international awards. A few of the recognition he received are the Grand Prize for Department of Trade and Industry Business Innovation Awards, Department of Science and Technology Kabalikat Award, Best International Business award in the University of San Francisco University Business Plan Competition, World Bank Development Innovations Marketplace Grant Competition award.

The waterless transport technology has made significant contributions to the fish industry. It enables Filipinos to competitively price their fish exports to China, Taiwan, Japan, and other countries that consume fish. It also enables fish traders to eliminate a large portion of shipment cost through the absence of water in transport. With this, the Philippines may make a big share of the international market. This technology could also reduce the mortality of the fishes being shipped. In addition, it can ensure entrepreneurs, organizations, and even individuals the freshness of the fishes they will consume on their plates.

Even if Mr. Comandante is aiming for an international market, he makes certain that the technology will stay in Filipino hands to provide employment to his countrymen, bring pride to his nation, and improve the lives of Filipinos.

Indeed, Bonifacio Comandante’s sleeping fish has awakened the world.

Buhi Worldwide – http://www.buhiworldwide.com/
Photo Courtesy of http://fairandunfair.splinder.com/tag/cibo

Article written by Julianne Lacson