March 28, 2023

 

Alsons Aquaculture invests US$3.6 million to expand inland aquaculture project

 

Philippines' firm Alsons Aquaculture Corporation (AAC) of the Alcantara group will invest PHP 200 million (~US$3.6 million; PHP 10 = US$0.18) to expand its inland-based aquaculture project in Alabel, Sarangani province, south of the country, Fish Information & Services reported.

 

According to AAC, the project will take three years to complete.

 

To meet the expanding market demand, the expansion project will add an additional 5,000 tonnes of annual production over 193.68 hectares of adjacent land.

 

For the expansion project, which will involve the building and administration of new aquaculture facilities, AAC is looking for an environmental compliance certificate (ECC).

 

By utilising the natural resources of the region, such as the Buayan River and Sarangani Bay's brackish water, the project hopes to promote sustainable aquaculture practises.

 

By utilising the natural resources of the region, such as the Buayan River and Sarangani Bay's brackish water, the project hopes to promote sustainable aquaculture practises.

 

Many aquaculture species can be found in brackish water, which is a mix of fresh and salt water. Shrimp, tilapia, and milkfish can all thrive in brackish water conditions. By lowering the amount of freshwater needed for operation, using this type of water in aquaculture can also lessen the project's impact on the environment, according to AAC.

 

The company said that its proposed expansion would offer an additional food source both locally and internationally, as food security has become a global concern.

 

AAC is the Philippines' largest processor and exporter of premium quality bangus and many other processed seafood products. AAC is involved in the production of bangus, tilapia, and other marine cultured species.

 

The increased production capacity will help the Philippines meet market demand. The country is the biggest exporter of bangus.

 

AAC said this new facility will accommodate additional tilapia and prime bangus production for the municipality of Alabel, gradually contributing to the increased level of food security in the local government unit.

 

AAC currently exports its products to the US, Canada, Guam, Australia, China, and the Middle East.

 

AAC keeps 12,000 spawners of various ages in its 30-hectare hatchery farm, where they are grown and processed into more than 4,000 metric tonnes of aquaculture products annually in inland ponds.

 

The company operates two processing plants in Mindanao and one in the Visayas.

 

-      Fish Information & Services