From fishpond to offshore farming

By Roberto Garcia

LINGAYEN Gulf has been one of the traditional sites for mariculture in Northern Luzon where the bangus fishpond industry was developed several decades ago. However, the increasing incidence of converting fishponds for human settlements or for industrial purposes is threatening the industry with the decline in fishpond hectarage. This could adversely result in the decrease in seafood production.

Is there any solution?

We should not be stuck with the growing of bangus only as there is a big potential for farming a diversity of seafood species in the area owing to its rich marine resources. Culturing high-value species like grouper, snapper, pompano, sergeant fish, tuna, abalone, scallop, lobster, etc. have been proven to be commercially viable. Likewise, there is a need to explore and exploit other areas for mariculture which do not cause conflict to other human activities such as fishing, navigation, human settlement, or industrial projects.

Modern technology in mariculture has seen great progress nowadays. There is a growing trend in some countries to utilize the offshore part of the sea where there is less human activity and pollution and limitless area for farming. This is suitable for culturing various species such as high value finfish like snapper, pompano, tuna, and even bangus; mollusc such as abalone, oyster and scallop; or crustacean such as lobster, to name a few. Likewise, this would be ideal for large scale production of seaweeds with industrial value such as eucheuma and gracilaria using the long line method. The list of potential species for offshore culture is endless. Now if these areas are considered for mariculture, there would be vast areas available for sea farming from Bolinao to San Fabian.

Another idea worth considering is the development of environment-friendly farming techniques which protect and sustain the marine resources on which the culture operation depend. Some notable examples are the giant clam project at the Hundred Islands and the integrated fish-mudcrab-mangrove scheme in Bani. These efforts, though experimental, are commendable in that they show the feasibility of utilizing critical fish habitats such as coral reefs and mangrove areas without destroying them. Thus, these areas can also add to the potential sites for mariculture although to a limited extent and should be done with proper management.

Again a word of caution. Any mariculture project should be well-planned and properly managed and, most importantly, must follow farming regulations such as appropriate stocking density, controlled feeding, proper spacing between culture units, appropriate number of culture units based on the carrying capacity of the area, and protection of critical fish habitats- mangrove, seagrass bed, and coral reef among other things. By doing so, perhaps we will avoid another disastrous fish kill.

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments