Barracuda caught in SRP pond

BIG fish lurk  in the ponds of Cebu City’s South Road Properties (SRP).

Businessman Vincent Tiu recently caught a 10-kilogram barracuda from SRP Pond A.  He caught  an 8-kg mullet in the same spot last year.

It was not clear how the  salt-water predator,  whose sharp teeth make the fish a danger to swimmers, turned up in the inland pond.  Barracudas are found in tropical  oceans.

Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district  said his friend Bruno Gonzales sought permission  last week to catch a barracuda known to live in Pond A. It was later cooked.

“I cannot give permission to open it to the public as a means of recreation and a place to hang out,” Osmeña said.

“It’s only the mayor and the council who can decide on that.”

But he said he had the barracuda fished out  because it was already big  and had sharp teeth.

Tomas said several varieties of fish thrive in the 60- hectare Pond A.

Osmeña said if he had his way, he would allow game fishing in Pond A for fishers who use artifical bait, not meat.

“But it (fishing) should not be for consumption. It should only be for hobby. After they catch the fish, they will have to throw it back to the pond,” Osmeña said.

“The fish there are not really good tasting and there is a smell maybe because of the mud.”

The pond used to attract several migratory birds. /Edison A. Delos Angeles, Correspondent