Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Domingo Panganiban said Mindanao is a region in the country that needs more attention for the development of its agriculture and fisheries programs to facilitate countryside development, hence, the need to strengthen the countrys food security program.
In line with these programs, two project contracts were recently signed between the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), local government unit of Tawi-tawi, the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Authority-Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC-AQD), and the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority for the hatchery project; and the BFAR and local government unit of Sarangani province for the fish shelter project.
Under the agreement for the multi-species hatchery, Tawi-tawi has been chosen as the site for this project due to its vast and rich reservoir of marine resources, pristine water environment and favorable weather conditions for aquaculture. The province ranks first in seaweed production and the major source of high-value fish products in the South.
The SEAFDEC-AQD, a regional treaty organization based in Iloilo, will provide its technology in aquaculture research and development in the multi-species hatchery project.
With the urgent need to restore productivity by using traditional fishing in Sarangani, under the Tuna Productivity Enhancement Program (TPEP), the fish shelter project will be established for managing fishery areas in the province to discourage the catching of juvenile fishes, with the use of fine meshed nets, and encouraging the practice of environment-friendly fishing, like the hook and line fishing techniques.
Sarangani is also a major source of tuna in the South. Fisherfolks and small-scale tuna handline fishing boat operators in the area have been encouraged to form associations or federations in promoting the use of these traditional fishing techniques.
In both agreements, Panganiban said BFAR field offices in the two provinces will provide the full technical and administrative support in the implementation of these projects.
Source - PNA - 5th September 2005
Philippines Seeks to Boost Fisheries Sector in Mindanao
MANILA - The Philippine government has shifted to high gear its efforts to develop the fisheries sub-sector in Mindanao by allocating P10 million (US$178,108) for the construction of multi-species hatchery in the province of Tawi-tawi and P5 million for the fish shelter payao project in Sarangani province.
Philippines Seeks to Boost Fisheries Sector in Mindanao - MANILA - The Philippine government has shifted to high gear its efforts to develop the fisheries sub-sector in Mindanao by allocating P10 million (US$178,108) for the construction of multi-species hatchery in the province of Tawi-tawi and P5 million for the fish shelter payao project in Sarangani province.