Prospects in aquaculture brighter in 2018 for Region 1

By November 26, 2017Business, News

LINGAYEN—Prospects are brighter in 2018 for the fishery industry in Region 1, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatics Resources (BFAR) director.

Nestor Domenden said in an interview on Nov. 24 during the 35th Fishery Industry Forum held here, that the gathering aims to update stakeholders and connect them to proper links to help them become entrepreneurs and make the industry market-driven.

“Bottom line is to give them good profit and make their business sustainable,” Domenden said.

He said the government is giving priority to five commodities like seaweeds, shellfish that includes oysters and mussel, bangus (milkfish), tilapia and shrimps.

“But it doesn’t mean we have no assistance for high value and other fishery commodities, we are prioritizing only those that cater to masa (ordinary folks) to become more profitable,” Domenden said.

Domenden said among the challenges stakeholders face in 2017 are unsustainable practices like illegal fishing, use of dynamite, fine mesh nets, active gears within municipal waters, unregulated stocking density of cages, low quality of feeds that contribute to pollution, among others.

The response is the use of appropriate technology and corresponding technology within the technology, he said.

Domenden said aquaculture in Pangasinan continues to expand and its aquaculture plays vital role in Region 1 and in the entire country.

About 60 percent of bangus production in Pangasinan are traded in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces. (Eva Visperas)

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