June 1, 2007
 

Philippines' Davao region registers increase in aquaculture production

The provincial office of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) said six sections under the aquaculture sub-sector of the fishery division have increased its volume production in the Davao Region in the Philippines.

The rise was noted in brackishwater fish cage, brackishwater fish pen, freshwater fish pen, freshwater fishpond, marine fish pen and oyster systems.

For the first quarter, produce from brackishwater fish cage jumped from 4.6 metric tonnes to 6.7 metric tonnes due to high demand for live bangus (milkfish) baits for vessels in the high seas.

The more than one metric tonne of brackishwater fish pen this period was due to a newly opened farm in Davao del Norte.

The intensified production of freshwater fish pen was due to the opening of new farm in Carmen, Davao del Norte with the continued support of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Freshwater fishponds gained five percent during the first quarter compared to the same quarter of 2006.

Increases were also noted in Compostela Valley Province with 22.3 percent, Davao City with 20.5 percent, and Davao del Sur with 23.1 percent.