April 25, 2017

Filipino scientists and academicians lamented that their government has neglected the mariculture and aquaculture sector, even as they pushed for a blue economy for the country. Blue economy aims for the sustainable management of marine resources.

At the two-day scientific forum of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) in Cebu City in central Philippines, experts, who discussed the potentials and challenges in the aquatic and fisheries industries, noted that the Philippines does not invest enough in the maritime sector, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported.

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This is despite the fact that, according Ronald Mendoza of the Ateneo de Manila University, the Philippines is the second-largest archipelagic country and 60% of the country's population live in coastal areas.

Also, NAST acting President Fabian Dayrit cited data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showing that in 2012 the fishing sector had the highest poverty incidence. "Thus, this sector deserves better from the government and from the society", he said.

Dayrit, moreover, said the Philippines is among the top producers of aquatic products, adding that aqua resources are also used in pharmaceutical products.

Dayrit noted that there are many untapped areas in the aquatic and fisheries industries.

Academician Rafael Guerrero III cited the need for a Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to attain a "blue economy".

He explained that this department would give more emphasis on sustainable fisheries, particularly mariculture, which he described as the cheapest source of protein.