Value Chain Analysis of the Invasive Fish Sarotherodon melanotheron in the 4th District of Iloilo, Philippines

The Black Chin Tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron) is an invasive species recognized for its broad salinity tolerance, adaptability, and rapid reproduction, which often lead to the displacement of other aquatic species in rivers and brackishwater ponds. This study examined its value chain in the 4th District of Iloilo from January to April 2025, focusing on key players, industry information and market-flow to evaluate its potential as a source of livelihood. Using a descriptive-comparative research design, data were collected from 180 respondents. Results show that 55.5% of the respondents were male aged mostly 36 years or older, majority attained secondary education and earning ?5,000-?10,000 a month. Most respondents were fishermen employing gill nets (58.3%) as their primary gear, sourcing their catch from local rivers and brackishwater ponds. An average of 1.54 kg catch per operation was reported sol an an average price of ?58. The commodity was sold locally in various forms, primarily live (51.2%) and fresh-iced (24.5%), either directly to consumers or through buyers supplying nearby town markets. Brokers had the most profit margin and ROI along the value chain. Prominent issue raised included its competition with milkfish in ponds and prolific breeding behavior. These baseline findings show that despite ecological risks, S. melanotheron can be potentially utilized to create alternative livelihood opportunities for fisherfolk. Keywords : fisheries, invasive species, tilapia, Sarotherodon melanotheron, value chain

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