Aquaculture makes up for poor marine catch in Davao region

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — A boost in aqua-culture output through mari-culture parks has helped Davao Region meet demand for fish, even as marine catch declined by 12% in the first semester, regional fishery officials said Thursday. George G. Campeon, regional director of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, said the region’s production from aquaculture more than made up for poor sea catch, and would likely enable the agency to hit its target of 10% increase in fishery output this year. In terms of volume, the region yielded 33,000 metric tons of fish from January to June this year, against 28,000 MT for the same period last year. He said, they are on track to surpass this year the 67,000 MT recorded in 2007, due mainly to aquaculture. Davao region ranks first among the country’s region’s in aquaculture production, posting a growth rate of 19% last year. More than 250 fish cages were built in the last two years in the Island Garden City of Samal, Panabo City in Davao del Norte; and Sta. Cruz and Malalag in Davao del Sur. Next in line, BFAR’s plans showed, is a 200-hectare fish-cage park in Pantukan, Compostela Valley and another 400-hectare park in Mati City, Davao Oriental. "I think I can meet my target by 2011 to supply 100% of the total fish demand of the region which [supply] now stands at 70%," he said. Beyond limit BFAR, he added, has allocated P500,000 for each fish cage for moorings, foundation and roofing. An investor will need to spend P10,000 for the fingerlings, excluding the P200,000 initial investment for the structure, but the margin of profit is huge considering an average of 5,000 kilos per harvest at three croppings each year. Each cage produces seaweeds, bangus (milkfish) and tilapia. The region is one of the major producers of post-fingerling bangus, supplying an average of 500,000 pieces per month. The fingerlings, measuring about 5 inches to 6 inches, are transported to Eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao, as well as to some parts of Luzon, where they are further grown. The official said aquaculture is also the answer to preserve the 308,000-hectare Davao Gulf, which encompasses 17 municipalities, produces some 24,000 tons annually and provides employment to nearly 19,000 commercial and municipal fishermen. A 2001 resource assessment study of the gulf conducted by the University of Philippines-Visayas recommended that fish catch should be reduced by 16%, noting that the gulf was already "exploited way above the maximum limit." — Joel B. Escovilla, BusinessWorld