Coastal town fills void in bangus processing
By Yolanda Sotelo-Fuertes
Northern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 21:55:00 06/08/2008
Filed Under: Fishing Industry, Livestock Farming
SUAL, Pangasinan--Pangasinan may not have its own fish processing plant yet, but this coastal town has been filling the void through bangus (milkfish) processed by Fisher Farms Inc., one of the leading aquaculture processors in the country.
The company has tapped fish cage operators in this town to supply its fresh bangus requirement. Fisher Farms considers the milkfish raised in the waters in this coastal town to be free of contaminants, thus are safe and healthy to eat.
Aside from using ocean-grown catch, the company also employs food safety measures at par with those used in Japan and Australia, says Rex Malabanan, managing director of Fisher Farms.
"Consumers are assured of quality processing which keeps the freshness of the fish from harvest until [it] reaches the supermarket and the dining table," Malabanan says.
Milkfish and pompano cultured and harvested from this town are processed by the company's plant in Bulacan.
Florencia Guanzon, the town's agriculturist, says 380 cages grow bangus in this town, with each cage containing 15-20 tons each culture season. The production makes Sual one of the biggest bangus producing towns in Pangasinan, she says.
Malabanan says fish is abundant in the country and many processors have started operations to make fish more enjoyable to eat.
"But while generally healthy, it is still important to know where the fish was harvested and how it was processed to ensure our health and safety. As you can see, the water in Sual's ocean, the fish's natural habitat, is pristine," he says.
He says anybody can produce and process milkfish and tilapia, but consumers cannot be sure if the fish they are buying and eating are not "contaminated" while undergoing culture and processing.
Fisher Farms, he says, is known for its assortment of products and for its stringent adherence to global quality standards.
Malabanan says the company is very particular about flavor and quality.
Since it began operations in 2001, Fisher Farms has grown to become a leading industry player in the sector by focusing on the best aquaculture technology, employing facilities designed to ensure product freshness and quality.
Malabanan says the company is exceptional in the industry because of its breeder facility support, partnership with farms, modern feeds processing facility, and a wide distribution network capable of delivering to different areas in the country.
The company, he says, has a fully automated processing plant in Pulilan, Bulacan. It also employs IQF (individual quick freeze) technology to allow for the fastest, most efficient freezing speed designed to lock in quality, Malabanan adds.
Jaime Po, Fisher Farms general manager, says with IQF, it takes only about 45 minutes to freeze the fish as compared to blast freezing, which takes three hours.
He says the company's system allows it to trace its products--from fry selection to the final processed product.
"[Fisher Farms uses] state of the art smoke houses and virgin wood chips imported from Germany to add to the product's distinctive taste and guarantee quality equal to the world's best," says Po.
"You may buy smoked bangus in the market, but you may not be sure if the wood used is contaminated with chemicals like anti-termite," he says.
The firm produces whole and deboned bangus, marinated bangus, smoked baby bangus, sinigang cut and bangus belly, and sausages.
"The fish is processed to become appetizing that even picky children would love eating fish," Malabanan said.
He said the company exports its products to North America and Southeast Asia, including Japan, which, he said, holds the distinction for being particular about the quality of products it imports.
Malabanan said that Fisher Farms would make its products available in the local market.
"It is the goal of Fisher Farms to put more fish in every Filipino's table as the healthier meat option. You will eat fish every day," he says.
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