FEED Business Worldwide March, 2012

 

Philippine aquaculture: The need to go beyond sea weed 

 

by Gemma C. DELMO

 

 

As one of the most dynamic agribusiness in the country, the Philippine aquaculture sector is now geared towards making its production sustainable and more environment-friendly manner. According to Dr. Nelson Lopez, chief of the inland and aquaculture development of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), one objective is to minimise its impact on mangrove forests, which have been devastated by aquaculture in other Asian countries. Going forward, the industry will practice aquaculture within preserved mangrove forestry areas to maintain the sustainability of natural marine surroundings while raising the living standards of impoverished citizens who live in such coastal areas. 

 

 

 

Lopez explains that, "We think that the farmers would benefit better because they won't need much investment unlike other aquaculture because the resources are already there. We will not necessarily cut the mangroves or destroy the natural state of the areas.  We will design the location such as that the portions of the mangrove areas will be enclosed. We will dig trenches to put the fingerlings there where they will spawn naturally and eat natural food."

 

In a recent press release by the Department of Agriculture, the agency is said to earmark PHP1.9 billion (US$44.06 million) for aquasilviculture, which aims to promote aquaculture without destroying the vital role mangroves play in preserving wetlands. Under the program, participating fishermen will plant mangrove trees and be trained on how to raise high-value species such as lapu-lapu (grouper) in tandem with alimango (mud crab) and tilapia. Each hectare shall be planted with 3,000 mangrove propagules and fisherfolk families will be paid up to PHP5.50 (US$0.12) per mangrove (PHP1.50 for the planting material,  PHP2 for planting and PHP2 for every tree that survives).

 

Hence, each family could earn PHP16,500 (US$382.16) per hectare. Furthermore, participating aquasilviculture fish farmers will be provided nets to enclose the mangrove area, making it their own aquaculture rearing ground. Canals will be dug as growing sanctuaries, while excess, non-commercial fish will be set free into the wild to increase their population for other municipal fishers. Fish farmers may choose to raise fish for their own consumption, sell the excess or consolidate their catch with other fish farmers. This latter step would provide them with increased bargaining power and economies of scale when negotiating with institutional buyers and large markets.

 

As for the existing projects such as the mariculture parks and high value hatcheries, Lopez tells that these would continue although he admits that there won't be any expansion in these programs.  Going forward, there will be more emphasis on freshwater fish cultivation.

 

Lopez explains that, "Although most of these mariculture parks and hatcheries are already established, we have to check some farms as to why they have closed or were not able to increase production. We have to do some investigation."

 

The moratorium of expansion of fishpond utilization and construction has also limited the species that can be grown for mariculture. Lopez tells only bangus or milkfish proved to be practical for mariculture, as other species such as sugpo or tiger prawn and tilapia can only be cultivated in fishponds. "We can't just grow bangus on a 20-cubic meter aquaculture ground, that's a lot of area that can accommodate other species. So we have to rethink and review other high value species that can be grown without the need for fishponds." Lopez says this is one reason why mariculture development may take a backseat for some time.

 

Although BFAR's thrust of going ecological this year has just started, Lopez hopes that this would pave way a better and more improved aquaculture industry. However, despite the emphasis on sustainable, mangrove-friendly aquaculture, there still needs to be inputs from nitrogen-contaminating, conventional aqua feed. "Frankly, I still have contentions because even animals cannot just rely on natural food. But then, I think this method will benefit small fishermen who don't have other sources of income except for the natural resources that are there. We will see if the ecological balance--planting mangroves and at the same time doing aquaculture--will be beneficial for farmers."