Fisheries sector expects record output
By Amy R. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:35:00 03/27/2008
MANILA, Philippines--The output of the local fisheries sector is expected to hit a record 5.3 million metric tons this year, as the Department of Agriculture beefs up anti-poaching efforts and aquaculture projects.
Of this target, some 2.7 million MT are estimated to come from the aquaculture sector, 1.15 million MT from commercial fisheries, and 1.48 million MT from municipal fishing.
"In particular, we will pursue the expansion of seaweed farming; the propagation of high value species such as abalone, sea urchins and sea cucumbers, and Pacific white shrimp; more aggressive enforcement of anti-poaching and illegal fishing and sustained resource conservation efforts," Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap said.
Last year, the fisheries industry registered the biggest growth of 6.81 percent among agriculture subsectors with gross production value reaching P180.7 billion at current prices.
Accounting for 25.44 percent of total agriculture output, fisheries production last year reached some 4.7 million MT.
Through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the DA said it would build more mariculture parks this year to add to the 25 mariculture parks currently in operation.
According to BFAR Director Malcolm I. Sarmiento Jr., the bureau has been aggressively pushing for the culture of high-value fish species in mariculture parks to provide higher income for fisherfolk and generate livelihood for their families.
Seaweeds, carageenan, prawns and shrimps were among the country's top exports last year.
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