July 21, 2010

Philippines promotes high-value aquaculture

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is now targeting through aquaculture, the financial potential of high-value species including shellfish, crab, sea cucumber, abalone, scallops, seaweed, groupers (lapu-lapu) and sea urchin.

BFAR Director Malcom Sarmiento said the bureau has devised a master plan involving continuing construction of hatcheries for high-value marine species, plus improvements on existing private hatcheries for its broodstock.

The plan also includes developing mariculture park networks, which have been unveiled in Tawi-Tawi and nearby islands of Sibutu and Sitangkai, to endorse the spread of high-value fishes.

BFAR's burgeoning commitment to promoting fish production has been prompted by a gradually escalating demand for fish and aquaculture products in the local and international markets, including the US, Japan and the EU.

The bureau's latest projects highlight aquaculture practices that tackle quality and safety challenges in fisheries products, climate change and globalisation, while adopting international market standards and efforts to boost the general sustainability and productivity of aquaculture communities.

The government is contributing by helping fishers living near mariculture parks own fish cages through a financing scheme, the Department of Agriculture and BFAR said.

BFAR said it is currently setting up techno-demo fish cages in 54 mariculture parks across the country. The agency aims to identify 10 cooperators in each park.

"We hope these techno-demo fish cages will encourage other households to put up their own. For those who will decide to have their own fish cage, the Land Bank of the Philippines will be willing to lend them the capital," said Sarmiento.