Tons of Anchovies, Locally Known as “Dilis” Gathered Along Antique Shoreline
Residents of Brgy. Aras-Arasan, Tobias Fornier in Antique, were happy after the arrival of tons of anchovies along their coastline.
Anchovies are small, saltwater fish that belong to the Engraulidae family. They are typically found in temperate waters around the world, often in large schools near the surface. These fish have a distinctive silver color and are known for their strong, salty flavor.
They are commonly used to add a rich, savory taste to dishes like pasta sauces, salads, pizzas, and seafood dishes. In some cultures, anchovies are also preserved through salting or pickling, which intensifies their flavor and extends their shelf life.
Recently, Camille Alcazar, a Facebook user, shared several photos and videos showing clusters of anchovies seemingly drifting towards the shore, with some still alive. The post garnered various reactions from the netizens.
In the photos, massive numbers of anchovies were caught in the fishing nets used by the locals. The fishing season in Antique began this February after a three-month fishing ban that started on November 15, 2023.
Alcazar revealed that the anchovy influx occurred on February 14, 2024 (Valentine’s Day) around 5:00 in the evening.
“Tinawag lang po ako ni Mama na magdala ng balde at plastic kasi marami daw kuha nila na isda,” Alcazar said.
Alcazar’s family managed to gather about 50 basins of anchovies that day, selling some while giving away the rest. Despite it being fishing season, residents were not expecting such a large number of anchovies to suddenly appear.
The lady netizen mentioned that the residents regarded the extraordinary event as a blessing from God. “Sobrang saya po kasi first time pong nangyari dito sa amin itong malaking blessings na ito,” Alcazar added.
In a previous report, Baybay city, Leyte residents found rare oarfish “first time namin makakita”
The social media users expressed their reactions to the post:
