E. Visayas mariculture zones to expand - fisheries bureau

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) plans to establish more mariculture zones in Eastern Visayas, especially in Carigara Bay. The existing 14 mariculture zones in the region last year increased its fisheries yield by 22% to 6,592 metric tons (MT) worth P593.28 million, about a fifth of the region’s total fishery output in 2007. "Mariculture zones are now our assets. We are upbeat in promoting the project to attract more investors to the region," said Juan Albaladejo, BFAR regional director. The mariculture zones have consistently increased production since the first park was established in 2003. The zones yielded 5,400 tons in 2006, almost double the 2005 output of 3,084 tons. BFAR assistant regional director Justerie Granali said the region had 5,550 hectares of mariculture parks with 484 fish cages as of last year. The establishment of these cages cost around P200 million. "There are still more areas within the mariculture parks that need to be developed. Fish cages can still be installed in these areas," Ms. Granali said. The zones are located in Calbayog City, Basey, and Sta. Rita in Samar; Tacloban City, Ormoc City, Leyte, Babatngon, and Merida in Leyte; Biliran and Naval in Biliran; San Jose and Laoang in Northern Samar; as well as in Liloan in Southern Leyte and Quinapondan in Eastern Samar. The BFAR regional office also plans to establish mariculture zones within the 347-hectare Carigara Bay through the local government units of Carigara, Barugo and Capoocan, all in Leyte. The mariculture areas are designed to produce fish like bangus, siganids, groupers and red snappers. The zones can also accommodate seaweeds farming, aquasilviculture, mussel culture, oyster culture, searanching of lobsters and seahorses in coral reefs and sea grass areas. Each mariculture zone or park consists of a contiguous area of 100 hectares to 400 hectares of coastal waters. These are operated by local governments, in partnership with BFAR. These provide option for fisheries investments and an alternative source of income for marginalized fishing communities. "Mariculture zones are chosen for their diverse and productive environments suitable for commercial mariculture development, access to existing infrastructure support, ice plant, BFAR facilities and accessibility to input supply and markets," Ms. Granali said. Mr. Albaladejo said the thrust this year is to plant mangroves in mariculture parks. The mangroves could be tapped for the production of fingerlings, he added. "There are high value fishes that could be caught in mangrove areas. We can raise shrimps and crabs within the mariculture zones as well," Mr. Albaladejo said. Mangroves also shelter marine life and provide food to fish, shrimp, crabs, lobster, bivalve and gastropod mollusks and other invertebrates. - S. Q. Meniano, BusinessWorld