February 13, 2008

Philippines generates PHP1.6 million in fish pond lease

The Philippines has gained a total of PHP1.6 million (US$39,000) from fish pond leases in 2007, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said.

BFAR noted that there were 223 fish pond operators in the province utilizing an area of 2,819 hectares.

Around 1.2 million kilogrammes of fish products for exports have been inspected by BFAR, valued at PHP102 million (US$2.5 million). The marine exports include  grouper, milk fish, squid, nylon shell, shrimp and crab meat.

The bureau, in efforts to boost Philippine marine exports, have conducted various training on fish culture, cooking and preservation and held consultations with various Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils (FARMC) in the country.