Focus on the sea more than land

Our country has more seawater than land. It is time we focus more on the sea.

Look at the difference of Philippine territories expressed in terms of kilometers covered by seawater versus land in our approximately 7,107 islands: Seawater – 2,200,000 km; Land – 299,735 km, which is a mere 14 percent of seawater covered by Philippine territory. The difference between the two is 1,900,265 km.

Additionally, within each land or island are lakes, rivers, dams, swamps, reservoirs. Rapid urbanization compounded by the outdated logic of the agrarian reform law forced our country to become a net importer of rice. There is a compelling urgency that we embrace the phenomenon of change. It is time to veer from the traditional focus on agriculture to the commerce of aquaculture.

Aquaculture has long existed in the Philippines and involves many species and culture systems. For instance, each of these species can be independently grown, harvested and become a significant economic driver. These are bangus, carps, oysters, shrimps, crabs, tilapia, seaweeds, encheume, gracilaria, prawn, rabbitfish, seabass, groupers.

To quote the Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations: “In spite of the recent production setbacks in fisheries, the industry continues to play an important role. The country’s archipelagic nature is only one of the reasons for its importance. The other reason is the Filipinos’ great liking for fish. No meal is complete without fish. As a result, the Philippines has one of the highest per capita fish consumption in the world at 36 kg per year of fish and fishery products (BFAR, 1997).”

FAO in 2006 estimated that Asia accounted for 87 percent of the total global number of persons engaged in fisheries and aquaculture production (total 41.4 million).

China, the country with the highest number of fishers and fish farmers, had an estimated 13 million engaged in fisheries in 2004, accounting for 31.4 percent of the world’s total. Could this be one other possible reason why China is aggressively claiming our sea territories?

If we do shift our focus to developing the entire seawater territory, there could be an inevitable rise in another growth sector. The outcome carries a “domino effect” on the tourism industry.

The moment we protect and nurture the coral reef or marine life to spur fishing, we can all see the inevitable beautification of the ocean floor. Thus, we may just be witnessing another seeming “multiplication of bread” (but this time of the fishes). This beauty can be replicated in all 7,107 islands. Can you imagine how our country can transform itself into the tourist capital of the world?

Tourism is recognized as a major contributor to the economy of the Philippines, contributing 5.9 percent to the Philippine GDP in 2011. The Philippines is an archipelagic country composed of 7,107 islands. But the beauty of our seaside is what spurred tourism in our country.

Once the seashores have coral reefs to spur the fishing industry, fish sanctuaries will multiply a thousandfold. Our beaches will now serve as one of the most popular and tourist destinations in the country. The Philippines may then attract tourists who are in search of a vacation paradise.

In 2011, the Department of Tourism recorded 3.9 million tourist arrivals to the country—11.2 percent higher than the 3.5 million registered in 2010. In 2012, the Philippines recorded 4.27 million arrivals, after the Department of Tourism launched a widely publicized marketing campaign titled “It’s More Fun In the Philippines”.

Where did most of these tourists go? To beach resorts.

It is unfortunate that the Philippines has the highest unemployment rate in Southeast Asia. But if we can spur the economy around by focusing on the sea and enhancing the marine environment, the fishing and tourism industries can commensurately create more jobs, thus reduce the unemployment rate.

Our country’s population just reached the 100 million mark and continues to rise. Our land will inevitably see the rise of urbanization in the next decades. Since land continues to shrink due to urbanization, we must critically revisit the logic of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Act, awarding a minimum of 5 hectares of land to a destitute farmer. Rice production is shrinking, turning us into a net importer of rice. Emotionally loaded attention to land distribution must cease. More attention must be made to encourage the populace to look to the sea, or aquaculture, instead of just agriculture.

Today the Philippines is the 47th largest economy in the world, according to Goldman Sachs. By 2050, or 36 years from now, the Philippines may be the 14th largest economy. We do not have to wait that long. We can shorten the lead time.

In sum, if the Philippines were to focus more on the sea rather than just land, both the fishing and tourism industries would rise phenomenally. And so will our economy.

(This article reflects the personal opinion of the author and does not reflect the official stand of the Management Association of the Philippines. The author is a member of the MAP CSR Committee and President of the NV-VOGT Philippines SPVs. Feedback at [email protected] and [email protected]. For previous articles, please visit www.map.org.ph)