The fourth quarter will see more harvests and production from the aquaculture sub-sector during the Christmas season, Sarmiento told reporters.
"Most operators target end-November to December to harvest tilapia, ‘bangus’ [milkfish] and prawns due to the seasonal growth in demand," he said.
In 2006, aquaculture accounted for 47 percent of total fisheries production, compared with 15 percent in the 1980s, Sarmiento said.
With aquaculture’s sustained growth, the BFAR expects fisheries production to reach 4.8 million metric tons this year and 5.3 million metric tons in 2008, he said.
Fish sector sees between 8 and 10 per cent growth due to aquaculture
PHILIPPINES - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) expects an 8-10 percent growth in the fisheries sector in the fourth quarter, due mainly to sustained growth in the aquaculture industry, BFAR Director Malcolm Sarmiento Jr. said Wednesday.