Jovita Ayson, regional director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Cagayan Valley (Bfar-Cagayan Valley), said the park has industrial estates wherein aquaculture plots are leased or awarded to investors, with the government providing infrastructure (mooring systems, navigation lanes and docking areas), utilities (support facilities) and technical services, reports the Business Mirror.
Fisheries officials say the management system for the cages will lessen pollution and reduce production costs to maximise the operators income. The cages are designed to withstand typhoons.
Beneficiaries and future investors in the area will use the Best Cage Management Practices. Stocking density for the fish cage is seen at 10 pieces per cubic meter, compared to the current 25 pieces.
The park will also use the skip-feeding strategy to further reduce the amount of feeds to be distributed. Under this strategy, fish will only be fed at their full ration every other day.
Skip feeding translates to a 50 per cent reduction on feed inputs without compromising overall production.
Fish cage operators netted a daily production of 13 metric tons (MT) in 2003. It later plunged, however, to one MT due to losses caused by man-made and natural disasters such as typhoons.
The Magat Dam and Reservoir is located within Isabela and Ifugao, and serves as a source of irrigation and hydroelectric power generation.
Aquaculture Park Seen to Boost Local Fish Cage Industry
PHILIPPINES - The newly established aquaculture park along the Magat reservoir in Aguinaldo village in Isabelas Ramon town is seen to revive the one-flourishing fish cage industry in the area.
by Gemma Hyland
