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The Official Publication of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

Fisheries Yearend Report

Battered but not downVolume No.2 Issue No.1 First Quarter 2009

The DA-BFAR has put up two more mariculture parks in Sorsogon in Bicol region, bringing to 40 the number of these industrial-estate-type fish production centers nationwide.

Through the BFAR, the DA and local government units (LGUs) concerned have set up 12 mariculture parks in Luzon, 17 in the Visayas and 11 in Mindanao.

The mariculture parks in Luzon are found in Sto. Tomas, La Union, Casiguran Aurora, Padre Burgos and Tagkawayan in Quezon, Looc, Romblon, San Jose City, Occ. Mindoro, Sta. Cruz, Marinduque, Calapan City, Or. Mindoro, Ragay and Sangay, Camarines Sur, Magallanes and Bacon in Sorsogon.

In the Visayas, these mariculture parks are in Talibon, Bohol, Brgy. Malahog, Calbayog City, Basey, Samar, San Jose and Laoang in Northern Samar, Liloan, Southern Leyte, Batbatngon, Merida, Tacloban, Ormoc, Leyte Leyte all in Leyte, Quinapondan, Eastern Samar, Biliran and Naval in Biliran, Sta. Rita, Samar.

RP has 40 mariculture parksnow operating nationwide

QC barangays raise fish in their backyard

Philippine agriculture and fisheries grew fairly well in 2008, despite the double whammy of food and oil crises that pummeled farm and fisheries productivity, drove commodity prices to historic peaks and unsettled scores of governments across the globe.

For the whole of 2008, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics reports that the fisheries sub sector posted the biggest production gain during the year with a 5.78 percent output or 4.96 million metric tons. Aquaculture was the biggest gainer with output expanding by 8.71 percent. Production in commercial and municipal fisheries went up by 2.78 and 2.19 percents respectively. The sector’s gross earnings last year amounted to P215.5 billion at current prices.

Compared to other agriculture sub sectors, crops, which included rice, corn, banana and pineapple, grew by 4.05 % followed by the poultry sub sector, 4.71%; and the livestock subsector, which contracted 1.06% due to the decline in hog output.

Overall, agriculture expanded by 3.92 percent during the year.

Infrastructure SpendingFor the fisheries sector, which was badly

hit by the fuel price shock this year, the DA and the BFAR carried out and will sustain several measures to drive it back on its high-growth course, including the search for new fishing grounds overseas, such as the government’s agreement with Timor Leste, and the harnessing of diplomatic channels to expand export markets for Filipino fish suppliers.

The DA thru BFAR is also promoting other marine species, such as the production and

sale of Peneaus vannamei or Pacific white shrimps. The importation and culture of Pacific white shrimp is strictly monitored by BFAR in tandem with the Southeast Asia Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), to guarantee that only good-quality and pathogen-free broodstocks are produced in the country.

Conservation MeasuresThe DA and SEAFDEC are currently

targeting the number coding or “tagging” of up to 2,400 pieces of small pelagic fishes like galunggong, hasa-hasa and tunsoy in the waters of Palawan and Manila Bay under a joint research program leading to the

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Twenty families in selected barangays in Quezon City are now raising the famous Cream dory fish or pangasius catfish in their own backyard following the signing of a formal agreement to implement the “Pangisdaan sa Bakuran” techno-demo livelihood project in select Quezon City barangays.

The project is a collaboration between the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources that provided the twenty fish-in-drum pyramid modules; Vitarich Corporation, technical assistance and feeds during the 3-month project period; A & L Fish Hatcheries Inc., provision of pangasius fingerlings;

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PANABO CITY – Business is getting brisk in this once sleepy town of Davao del Norte.

For three days a week - every Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays - the coastal road of Panabo City comes alive as early as 2:00 in the morning. This early, 2 to 4 six-wheeler trucks carrying fish containers and ice as well as air-filled plastic bags of bangus fingerlings start to arrive. Dozens of private and public utility vehicles, including motorcycles and tricycles ferrying compradors come and go. Along the shore, a motorized boat tows a raft carrying a large vat filled with crushed ice towards one of the fish cages.

In barely two hours, cage-grown bangus, still alive and wiggling are landed in the bagsakan area. Local womenfolk start sorting the fish by size, while men take charge of weighing each container of sorted bangus. Another group takes care of icing the fish and loading it onto closed vans for delivery to the market.

By 8AM, some 5 to 6 tons or some 6 tons or 6000 kilos of bangus would have been traded. At about the same time, some 30,000 bangus fingerlings would have been transported by a boat and seeded into marine fish cages to be grown to market size in the next 4 months.

FEATURES

BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA – Farmer Cesario Manuel says it is the most profitable venture he has so far.

Manuel, rice farmer and fishpond operator from Barangay Sta. Rita here, harvested yesterday 1,076 kilos of Pangasius, from his three fishponds with an aggregate area of 406 square meters.

The farmer has every reason to smile, with his pangasius stocks, reaching 950 grams average body weight at harvest with some as high as 1.5 kilograms. Average daily weight gain from the three fishponds is computed at 5.27 grams, while survival rate, or the total count of stocks at harvest time, is 90 percent. Feed conversion ratio is around 1.4 which means 1.4 kilograms of feed was required to produce a kilo of flesh.

This project is technology verification on the optimal stocking density of Pangasius in pond awarded by the BFAR based in Tuguegarao City and the Nueva Vizcaya Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.

During the Harvest Field Day, provincial agriculturist Felipe Panganiban underscored the need to treat farming as a “business endeavor” to ensure profitability. He further said that the pangasius project is one way to attain higher fish sufficiency level for Nueva Vizcaya which is a landlocked province.

The three fishponds all exhibited good growth with the stocking density of 3 pieces per square meter having highest growth rate overall.

At a farm gate price of 90 pesos per kilo

and net gain of P36,500, pangasius culture, as shown by this project, offers far more income compared to tilapia farming in a similar area. Production cost however is higher mainly due to the longer culture period, at six months, and the cost of fingerlings.

Eighty percent of the production cost was used to purchase commercial fish feed, while

the 1,302 pieces size 9 post-fingerlings stock which came all the way from the BFAR farm at Tanay, Rizal is ten pesos apiece.

Dominador Abalos, project leader, said that production cost can be reduced as the fish can be fed with indigenous diet such as vegetable and fruit surplus and trimmings, kuhol and rice bran.

“Our organic pangasius culture at Cauayan

City in Isabela has shown almost the same results compared to this project,” Abalos said.

According to Dr. Evelyn Ame, pangasius, categorized as a ‘white meat fish’, has huge potential with the fisheries bureau aiming to popularize culture of the species to be able to satisfy demand particularly from fast food chains.

Abalos said that the country currently imports 40 20-footer container vans of pangasius flesh each month. He said that pangasius fillet under the brand name Cream Dory costs 200 pesos per kilogram at local supermarkets.

Ame, chief of the Research and Planning Division of BFAR RO2, added that impact assessment conducted by BFAR experts has determined that the fish is a ‘low-risk species’ due to its inability to reproduce naturally under Philippine conditions and that it does not feed on small fishes. Pangasius reproduction in the country is currently done through induced

spawning. “This project shows feasibility and

profitability of pangasius culture in region 02,” BFAR RO2 Regional Director Dr. Jovita Ayson said. The director said that culture of this fast-growing and hardy fish – acknowledged as ‘new darling of the aquaculture industry’, shall help increase fishery production and farmer’s income. (max prudencio BFAR RO2)

BFAR R-02 fishfarmer raves over pangasius culture

Mariculture Park success story

There is big money in marine aquaculture

It’s harvest and stocking times once again!

This imagery is fast becoming a permanent sight along the shoreline of the sprawling 1,075-hectare Panabo Mariculture Park in Panabo City, Davao del Norte – the emerging mariculture hub in the South.

Early beginningFive years ago, BFAR Director Malcolm

I. Sarmiento, Jr. tinkered on the idea of putting up mariculture parks in the sea to be operated much like that of an industrial estate on land just like the EPZA or the Export Processing Zone Authority. Basic facilities that include a mooring system are set up by the Department of Agriculture thru the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in an area in the sea that has been identified by marine technologists as ideal for fish farming activities.

Along with the local government unit and other stakeholders, a management council is organized and a development plan is laid down to ensure the health of the environment and the sustainability of the mariculture ventures.

To date, there are now 36 mariculture parks located in strategic areas throughout

the country; 10 in Luzon, 15 in the Visayas and 11 in Mindanao, with the newly launched parks in Rizal, Zamboanga del Norte and in Compostela Valley in Davao del Norte as the latest additions.

Empowering the fishermenAt the Panabo Mariculture Park, bangus

sells at an average of P86.00 farm gate price. A 10m x 10m x 5m cage stocked with 15,000 bangus fingerlings could easily yield an average of 6000 kilos of fish after 4 months of culture.

With production cost of P70 - P75 per kilo, a fish farmer could easily earn some P90,000.00 per cage or a total of P180,000.00 for 2 cropping periods per year.

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Pangasius harvest

Improving the plight of marginal fisherfolk is one of the top agenda of the BFAR. Fisherfolk are organized into cooperatives and provided the necessary implements after training to jumpstart their livelihood. BFAR RD-11 Virgilio Alforque (3rd from R) joins fisherfolk beneficiaries from Dipolog City.

Residents of Sibuyan, San Fernando, Romblon scramble to the DA Bagsakan Center for cheaper fish, vegetables and other food items right after the island was hit by twin disasters - Typhoon Frank and the fish ban as a safety measure from the toxic endosulfan.

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formulation of a sustainable management plan to help conserve 50% of the Philippines ’ total marine fish catch.

The Philippines has launched this tagging project for mackerel and round scads species in partnership with Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia , Thailand , Indonesia , Malaysia (Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak), Vietnam and Myanmar .

and frozen seafoods like tuna, bangus, sardines, lobster and octopus; dessicated fresh/dried fruits like mango, banana, tamarind and coconut; and dessicated fresh/processed vegetables.

The DA, along with the Departments of Trade and Industry (DTI), of Health (DOH), of Science and Technology (DOST), and of Tourism (DOT), started implementing the country’s first ever general guidelines on halal

food exports, moving the Philippines closer to its goal of capturing a bigger share of this $500-billion industry.

These guidelines provide food processors, exporters, traders and marketing logistics operators with the information necessary for production, processing, packaging, storage, transporting and marketing of Halal products in compliance with international standards.

The government is also offering to foreign investors at least two big-ticket investment

proposals worth P3.04 billion in Mindanao to develop the domestic halal industry, and has stepped up its campaign to find new overseas markets for the budding halal industry, with initial talks already held with Kuwait and Brunei on possible investment opportunities in this sector.

For starters, the DA helped Filipino exporters book sales of food products totaling $19.91 million in the recently concluded Halal World Expo 2008 in the United Arab Emirates.

Reform Agenda Wide-rang ing

reforms are also being carried out by the DA to ensure the judicious disbursement of funds to its program partners as part of continuing efforts to correct systemic lapses in its project monitoring system at the local level.

These reforms thus far effected by Yap are topped by the creation of national and regional monitoring teams to conduct “periodic field validation and rapid appraisal” of the DA’s intervention measures under its banner program Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA), and the adoption of stringent guidelines on the release of funds to program partners like non- government organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs).

For a better system of coordination with

Commission on Audit personnel assigned to the DA, this set of guidelines adopted last month includes COA Circular No. 97-001 and 94-013, which respectively cover government-fund disbursements to NGOs and POs and to LGUs.

Such measures are designed to correct systemic lapses in the monitoring of projects, arising mainly from the devolution of powers to LGUs, which had stripped the Department of its operational control and administrative supervision over provincial, municipal, city agriculture officers and farm technicians.

Yap had entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the League of Provinces of the Philippines for the detail to the DA’s regional field units (RFUs) of agricultural officers hired by the provincial governments, and ordered an increase to P2,000 of the monthly allowances of these LGU workers who will help implement the rice self-sufficiency program.

Loan Guarantee FundPrior to this cash outlay for the Agricultural

Guarantee Fund Pool, 10 government-owned and –controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financial institutions (GFIs) had also turned over P478.644 million to the AGFP in line with Administrative Order No. 225-A requiring all state-run corporations and GFIs to hand over 5% of their respective 2007 surpluses to this new credit facility for food productivity programs.

AGFP funds could be accessed by rural banks, thrift banks, irrigators associations (IAs), rice millers and grains traders for relending to small farmers in dire need of production loans.

Amidst a more upbeat outlook for Philippine agriculture next year owing to the recent decline in fuel prices, which will spell a corresponding drop in the cost of farm

Battered but ...

Market SupportTo further shield consumers from the

food crisis, the DA continued to set up more linkages between farm producers and market centers both here and abroad.

As of Dec 15, 2008, the DA has already set up 189 barangay bagsakans or food terminals, 37 bagsakan centers or drop-off points for agricultural goods, and 14,585 Tindahan Natin outlets that sell basic food items like rice and noodles at prices lower than those in regular retail outlets. 14.5 million consumers have so far benefited from these Tindahan outlets, 397, 683 families from barangay bagsakans set up in Metro Manila and 538, 690 households from bagsakan centers established in the metropolis and the regions.

To keep prices of basic goods within the reach of Filipino consumers, the DA held regular dialogues with industry leaders to find ways on how to pull down the costs of prime commodities. For instance, the DA convinced major players in the hog industry to pull down the cost of prime pork cuts ahead of the Christmas season by agreeing on a “reference price” ranging from P140 to P150 per kilo of choice cuts like pigue, kasim and liempo.

On exploring new markets for Philippine agricultural products, the DA spearheaded the country ‘s participation in various food shows and trade exhibits overseas, such as the International Boston Seafood Show and Natural Product Expo West in the US; Gulf Food Expo in Dubai and Halal Food in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, among others.

The Philippines’ participation in these events led to a combined total of $447.91 million in booked sales for Filipino exporters selling a wide variety of goods such as fresh (From the DA yearend report by the DA Press )

inputs, Yap said the DA will step up the implementation of intervention measures to sustain the sector’s positive growth in 2009.

These include aggressive planting initiatives, higher investments in hard infrastructures, and stepping up the implementation of its root crops production program.

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NEWSBYTESVannamei is now the shrimp of choice of fish farmers

DAGUPAN City – Once illegally cultured in the country, the Peneaus vannamei or Pacific white shrimp is now the newfound star of the local fish farmers owing to its profitability over other species.

The culture of white shrimp underwent many challenges, including the destruction of $25,500 worth of breeders in 2005, before the government finally endorsed its cultivation. “The Philippines was a latecomer in vannamei farming,” says Westly Rosario, BFAR center chief and interim executive director of the NFRDI. “Many countries already are way ahead in its culture because it was banned in the Philippines for many years,” he says.

While other countries have made strides in growing this species, Philippine fishery officials hesitated in accepting vannamei as a legal species for culture, industry leaders say. Some farmers clandestinely farmed it, through, they say.

But because of the successful experimental breeding by the BFAR, the ban was lifted in 2007. The government also issued guidelines on the importation of broodstock (breeders) and culture of offspring.

The Pacific white shrimp’s legal entry to the country started

on August 28, 2004, when the DA and BFAR entered into a memorandum of agreement with the private group Agrifisheries World to undertake studies on the culture of disease-free strains.

BFAR-NFRDI launched Hipon 911

DAGUPAN City – Believe it or not, there is now an ambulance for white shrimps in the country. Aptly dubbed as Hipon 911, the ambulance is manned by a licensed veterinarian and four other personnel of the BFAR

center in Binloc, this City.

Dr. Westly Rosario, BFAR center chief and executive director of the NFRDI, said that the mobile clinic is part of the P4-million Aquatic

Animal Health Laboratory project of the BFAR Dagupan center.

The NFRDI-Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory was established to support the growing P. vannamei industry in the country. It provides pro-active monitoring of the presence of shrimp diseases, particularly that affecting P. vannamei, in hatcheries and grow-out farms. “We do not wait for fishfarmers to go to us. We go to their farms to conduct regular monitoring to ensure that the shrimp industry is alive and free from problems,” Rosario said.

“Specifically, it provides immediate transport of samples

Windmill for aquaculture up in Compostela Valley

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources recently showcased in one of its regional research facility in Davao its first windmill-operated pump in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province.

In his report to DA Secretary Arthur C. Yap, BFAR Director Malcolm I. Sarmiento, Jr. said that the 30-foot 32-blade windmill would supply the water requirements for a 4,005-square meter fishponds subdivided into 3 hapa-based hatchery ponds, 2 conditioning pond and 1 hapa-based nursery pond.

The regional aquaculture center produces a total of 2.3 million tilapia fingerlings annually and disperses 1.85 million fingerlings in communal bodies of water. It caters to 600 to 1000 backyard fishponds in the locality.

According to Sarmiento, the windmill-operated reciprocating pump has a pumping capacity of 45-60 gallons per minute, roughly equivalent to the output of 3 units of 2 horsepower submersible pumps.

“The use of windmill would translate to savings in terms of electric cost. In

from infected farms to the NFRDI-Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory. It’s a pro-active strategy so that entry and incidence of shrimp diseases could be prevented,” he said.

Vietnamese poachers caught with 101 dead turtles

The Philippine Navy apprehended 13 Vietnamese fishermen who were caught poaching in the country’s territory and harvested endangered turtles.

Marine Lt. Col. Edgardo Arevalo, said the Navy Patrol Gunboat 380 sighted the Vietnamese fishing vessel five nautical miles east of Cabulauan Island in Linapacan town in Palawan. Quoting a report to Navy chief Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez, Arevalo said the vessel tried to escape, prompting the Navy ship to fire warning shots. Arevalo said the Vietnamese even tried to deliberately sink their vessel and there was already water in its engine room when the Navy ship caught up with it after a 30-minute chase.

The board and search procedure yielded 101 dead turtles. “They attempted to sink their vessel to get rid of the dead turtles, so there will be no evidence against them. The immediate action of our Navy personnel prevented this attempt to sink the vessel, Arevalo said. Arevalo said the illegal catch was confiscated and the crewmembers were brought to El Nido prior to transportation to Puerto Princesa for filling of appropriate cases.

BFAR releases bangus breeders in Davao Gulf

DAVAO City – The BFAR RO-11 released bangus (milkfish) breeders off the waters of Davao del Sur to replenish the breeder stocks in the wild. At lease 120 one-year-old breeders were set free by fisheries officials during the recent celebration of the 45th Fish Conservation Week. BFAR assistant national director Gil Adora, BFAR regional director George Campeon, and City Councilor Leonardo Avilla III led the activity.

The release of bangus breeders is an annual activity of the BFAR R 11 to ensure the sustainability of bangus in the region. BFAR officials said Davao is growing to be a major player in the mariculture sector, with

Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur, and Panabo City in Davao del Norte as among the market leaders with numerous fishponds and fish cages.

Campeon said bangus production now accounts for almost 30 percent of the region’s total fish production. He said that while there is a noticeable increase in the role of aquaculture in the supply of fish, bangus culture is still reliant on natural fry supplies.

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‘Raft method’ eyed for mussel industry

TACLOBAN City – BFAR R-08 is adopting a new technology to save the P38-million peso green mussel (tahong) industry in Maqueda Bay. Regional Director Juan Albaladejo said his office is introducing the bamboo raft method to the fishermen to avert the occurrence of another massive mussel kill like what happened in May last year. The new method involves a shift from the stake to raft method, he said.

Albaladejo said that right now, his office is starting from square one in teaching the bamboo raft method culture to the local fishermen.

He explained that the effect of the massive green mussel kill in Marqueda Bay which was attributed to pollution was very severe considering that almost all of the fishermen in the area were without harvest when the incident hit the area.

At lease five towns in the province of Western Samar are dependent on the green mussel industry. This include Tarangnan, Catbalogan, Jiabong, Villareal and Talalora, all in the province of Western Samar.

Vanishing eel revival pushed in Cagayan Valley

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – A comeback in the population of the vanishing eel in the wild is expected after the BFAR R 02 has started reviving one of the country’s most delectable fish species along the region’s various freshwater areas.

As start up efforts, the BFAR had recently released thousands of elvers in various rivers, lakes, creeks and other fresh bodies of water in the region where they used to abound some years back. These includes Magat and Cagayan rivers and its various tributaries in the towns of Aritao, Santa Fe, Kayapa and Ambaguio here; Cabatuan, San Mateo, Ramon and Angadanan in Isabela; and Diffun, Cabarroguis, Aglipay and Maddela towns in Quirino.

Around 3,300 eels, called “igat” or “kiwet” in the Ilocos dialect, were released per town for a total of 39,600 eels released into the wild, said Dr. Jovita Ayson, BFAR director for

Cagayan Valley.The snake-like eel could

grow to as long as six feet.

NEWSBYTES . . . Freeing . . .

themselves at the two possible exit points of the wharf. The Donsol divers, owing to their experi-ence in diving with whale sharks, were tasked to guide the fish to the exit point by swimming near its head.

After several attempts, the fish was finally blocked by the divers who positioned themselves at the top and bottom of the shore-side corner of the wharf; while the Donsol divers led “Pol” on its way out of the PNOC port.

The team of BFAR divers was headed by Velasco and advanced open water divers Marlo Demo-os, Joeren Yleaña and Alvaro Tana III. The two volunteer-divers from Donsol who are also experts in spotting whale sharks are Raymundo Nepomuceno and Florante Trinidad who assisted the BFAR in this first-ever successful attempt to rescue/free a stranded whale shark. The Donsol divers were brought in by Romeo Trono, Country Executive Director of CI-Philippines

Yap, together with Sarmiento commended the divers for unselfishly lending their expertise in freeing the whale shark despite the risks involved in the operations. He also lauded the support provided by Lory Tan of WWF-Philippines, Romeo Trono of the Conservation International-Philippines, Dr. Lem Aragones of UP-IEMS and Rosario del Mundo, Provincial Fishery Officer representing the local government of Batangas.

The giant is a babyDir. Sarmiento revealed that the butanding

is a male fish owing to the presence of a clasper in the underside of its body. Apol is still a “baby” fish, that is, it is still on its juvenile stage. Unlike dolphins which needed maternal care after birth, whale sharks are already independent after birth and could survive if they could find an appropriate habitat.

He added that the sightings of whale sharks in Mabini and in other coastal waters of Batangas as reported by fishermen are an indication that the marine environment is good in the area. Food is abundant, attracting whale sharks and other big fishes.

Dir. Sarmiento believes that the fish sanctuaries and marine reserves established in the last decade under BFAR’s Fisheries Resource Management Project in cooperation with the LGUs had greatly improved the waters of Batangas .

Sarmiento added that the BFAR-FRMP’s heightened information, education and communication campaign aimed for the various stakeholders, including the fisherfolk, for the conservation and protection of fish and other aquatic resources also helped a lot in reducing the incidence of whale shark hunting and killing.

A threatened speciesThe whale shark is recognized worldwide

as either threatened or vulnerable of becoming extinct. It is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The CITES or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species listed the whale shark in the Appendix II category, meaning that whale sharks are not yet threatened with extinction, but may become threatened if trade in products made from them is not stopped; while the World Conservation Union’s Red List of Threatened Animals listed it under “Indeterminate” status.

In the country, fishing and taking of whale sharks and other rare, threatened and endangered species out of their habitat is unlawful and is punishable by imprisonment of 12 to 20 years and a fine of P2,000.00 to P20,000.00, forfeiture of catch and cancellation of fishing license or permit (Sec. 97, RA 8550 s. 1998).

Agri-aqua X’mas Expo held in QMC

The DA-BFAR in collaboration with Agri-Aqua Network International staged an agri-aqua Christmas exposition at the AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City last December 11-14.

The combination of fish cage and seaweed farming would ensure natural nutrient cycling, the seaweed uses the carbon dioxide given off by the fish, which in turn would benefit from the oxygen produced by the former, he explained.

Likewise, the nutrient-laden water from the uneaten feeds would provide the organic fertilizer for the plants as well as for other organisms in the water, he added.

RP has now . . . Lectures and display of agriculture and aquaculture technologies as well as sale of farm products, equipment, organic products, indigenous foods and handicrafts, wellness products and many others were undertaken.

A similar undertaking - the First Aqua Pinoy Expo was successfully held last October with the fisherfolk, private sector and government agencies as participants.

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EDITORIAL

DA-BFAR news The DA-BFAR news is published by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

and distributed free-of-charge to interested individuals and institutions associated with fisheries and aquatic resources. Send contributions to: The Editor, DA-BFAR news, PCA

Compound Elliptical Road, Diliman Quezon City

ADVISORY BOARD

Malcolm I. Sarmiento, Jr. Director

Gil A. Adora Atty. Benjamin F.S. Tabios, Jr. Asst. Director Technical Services Asst. Director for Administrative Services

EDITORIAL BOARDEditor-in-Chief: Felipe E. Albano Managing Editor: Melannie R. Guerra

Technical Editor: Billy P. Blanco, Jr. Lay-out and Graphics: Michelle B. Suva / Randy M. dela Cruz Circulation: Mitzi C. Fernandez / Jo-Ann Y. David

Photography: F. Albano, M. Suva and Zoilo M. Aquino Contributors: Regional Information Officers

Freeing “Apol”, the gentle giant of the sea

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap com-mended six local divers who have successful-ly freed a 17-foot long whale shark “trapped” for more than a week in the Philippine Na-tional Oil Corporation port in Mabini, Batangas last August 25.

The whale shark, Rhincodon typus, locally known as butanding was seen swimming around in a wharf inside the port area accord-ing to PNOC Port Manager Bel H. Macalincag. He said that this is not the first time that a bu-tanding were seen in the wharf, although this is the biggest of the three other fishes spotted at different times of this year. The said fish, nicknamed “Apol” (Apolinario Mabini) was also the longest staying.

Marine experts from the Bureau of Fish-

eries and Aquatic Resources, Conservation International-Philippines and WWF-Philip-pines, all agreed that the waters in the area was teeming with planktons and small fishes which are the main food of the whale shark.

The first attempt to release “Apol” was last August 20, five days from its “confine-ment” in the area by 13 volunteer divers led by BFAR master diver Pierre Velasco. How-ever, the operation failed.

“We tried to guide the fish but it didn’t work, the fish was just too quick and smart for us,” Velasco said. “Apol either went up or under the human-wall formation we made in our effort to drive it out of the wharf”, he added.

Aware of the dangers of prolonged diving or an accidental blow from its huge tail, as well as the possibility of posing serious stress to the fish, BFAR director, Malcolm I. Sarmiento, Jr., decided to halt the rescue operation and pray that the animal will move out of the area by itself.

Exactly 10 days from its confinement, Apol” was successfully freed by a joint team of divers from the BFAR, Conservation In-ternational-Philippines and WWF-Philippines in August 25. The 4 BFAR divers and 2 vol-unteers from Donsol conducted free-diving maneuvers, which is more dangerous, but is believed to be less stressful or agitating to the animal as this activity minimizes unnecessary surface disturbances.

The divers first conducted underwater documentation and assessed the physiologi-cal state of the fish to determine any chang-es on its body since it was first observed in August 19. After which, 4 divers positioned

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Missing only by a noseClose to capping the year with what could have been another

milestone - missing the 5-million-metric-ton-mark by just 35 thousand - the fisheries sector has managed to post a modest 5.7 percent growth, considered the fastest among all other sectors in agriculture for the year 2008.

Sheer luck is an unfair attribution to such an unlikely accomplishment considering the devastations wrought by two mega-typhoons Cosme and Frank that battered regions 1 and 6, two of the major fish producing areas; the fishing ban brought about by endosulfan contained in the sunken Princess of the Stars in Sibuyan, San Fernando; and the oil crisis that crippled many of the major commercial fishing companies and municipal fisheries alike.

But the BFAR is prepared. As early as the start of the decade, it had started building up programs that would respond to natural, man-made and economic-induced occurrences that could impact the sector.

The shift to environment-friendly aquaculture is one big impetus that is now cushioning the drop in the production level of capture fisheries while at the same time providing respite to the coastal resource to regain its health.

Aquaculture takes shape with the establishment of major support infrastructures such as mariculture parks, hatcheries, nurseries and post-harvest facilities in strategic areas as well as the broadening of aquaculture base with the introduction of improved tilapia strains and new culture species such as P. vannamei or the Pacific white shrimp, ulang, pangasius, pompano and freshwater ornamental fishes, among others. These are coupled with the promotion of environment-friendly farming technologies such as polyculture, aqua-silvi and organic fish farming.

In moderating the impact of capture fisheries, regulations have been set to limit the issuance of commercial fishing vessel licenses while efforts to look for potential fishing grounds are being intensified. Regional and international partnerships have been actively pursued to ensure a more sustainable use of the marine resource.

Added to these initiatives is the introduction of interventions to mitigate the impact of climate change as well as fuel crisis. The deployment of payao, use of sails and other energy-saving arrangements such as banca-towing, windmills, solar panels, use of biofuels and other energy-efficient devices are also being actively pushed, to name some.

These efforts, not plain sheer luck, and yes, a big dose of dedication, hard work and commitment on the part of the men and women of BFAR as well as the trust and cooperation of the stakeholders had driven and will continue to drive the sector and sustain its lead role as agriculture sector’s main growth driver.

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“This is a far cry from the usual 2 to 3 kilos of fish caught on ordinary days by a marginal fisherman”, said Sarmiento.

“This is what the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources would like the fisherman to be – an empowered fish farmer who has the ability to raise fish under conditions that would be to his advantage”, he stressed.

To further boost the revenues, the fish farmer can also grow danggit or samaral in tandem with the bangus in a system called aqua-polyculture. After one cropping, with 1680 pieces fingerlings, the danggit could grow to an estimated 100 kilos which could easily fetch an additional cash of P8,800.00.

Rent-a-Cage schemeOperating one unit of a 10m x 10m x 5m

fish cage however requires a hefty amount of money, Sarmiento said.

A new investor would need to shell out some P470,000.00 for a bamboo fish cage or P576,000.00 for a GI pipe cage. This amount covers the cost of the cage, fingerlings, feeds and labor, among others during the grow-out period.

Considering the high cost of investment, BFAR encourages the fishermen to organize into cooperatives and enroll in its “Rent-a-Cage Program”.

Under this scheme, the fishermen could start raising fish and pay the cage rent, including the cost of production after selling their produce, Sarmiento added.

Within a period of two years or an average of 4 harvests, the group would be able to pay in full the cost of the cage and acquire additional cages for their business venture. To date, a total of 5 fisherfolk-families are currently availing of the program.

Sustaining the developmentWhat is so remarkable about

the Panabo MP is that, in a span of only two years after the BFAR had set up its two demo cages in the area, there are now 140 operational cages owned by 53 investors. Three of the 34 private investors are foreigners from Taiwan, Ecuador and Japan who are married to Filipinas and are already residents of Panabo. The remaining 19 are marginalized groups or organizations mostly from the locality.

The park can accommodate a total of 600 fish cages, 100 of which is intended for marginalized groups or organizations, and 500 units for private investors.

Sarmiento said that to ensure the sustainability of this venture, BFAR through its Regional Fisheries Training Center in Panabo provides training and technical assistance to investors and fisherfolk who are interested to venture into bangus production.

RFTC Chief Dr. Andrew M. Ventura said that in addition to this, they also help market

the produce thru its market linkages and in the creation of viable local market outlets.

“The production from the mariculture park goes to the Panabo Public Market, and to contract buyers from Tagum City, General Santos City, and Davao City”, he said.

Ventura revealed that as of October this year, the total production has reached 217.50 metric tons valued at P18.73 million.

P30M loan Just recently, the city government of

Panabo formally applied for a P30M loan package from the Development Bank of the Philippines.

The program dubbed as DBP Sustainable Mariculture Investment Program will be used for infrastructure development as well as in providing loans for investors.

Panabo City Mayor Atty. Jose L. Silvosa Jr. spearhead the conduct of a workshop with the BFAR-RFTC, DBP, Panabo LGU and a local cooperative group to help the LGU in the preparation of business plans.

Mayor Silvosa said that the loan will be used to finance the construction of a fish landing area, a warehouse and possibly an ice plant that will ensure the quality and safety of the bangus harvested in the mariculture park.

As a multi-sector operated venture, the

development plan of the park is participatory with the sustainability and protection of the marine environment is a primordial concern, Silvosa added.

Sarmiento cautioned the local government to maintain the delicate balance between fish production and resource conservation. He said that unlike industrial estates, the mariculture park has a unique commodity – that is fish – a living organism that is easily affected by the condition of its environment.

Conservation measureThe establishment of mariculture parks is

seen by the BFAR, not only as an important conservation measure but also in mitigating the ill effects of climate change.

Sarmiento said that climate change scientists have identified the fisheries sector as one of the most vulnerable in that much of the changes in the coastal environment to include coral bleaching, changes in migratory patterns of important fishes, occurrence of

dreadful diseases and even mutation would greatly affect the population of fishes caught in the wild.

Through mariculture parks, the fishermen are weaned from fish hunting to fish farming providing two-pronged advantage. For the fishermen, fish farming would mean an assurance of fish that will be harvested, reduced working hours and hazards to life and limbs, as well as savings in the cost of fuel. For the environment, it means a respite for marine life to flourish and increase in population.

At the Panabo Mariculture Park, Sarmiento pointed out that only a parcel of its 1,075 hectares will be devoted to fish farming operations. Sixty hectares are allotted for fish farming while 20 hectares will be devoted for seaweed farming.

Sarmiento explained that the combination of fish cage and seaweed farming would ensure natural nutrient cycling as the seaweeds would need the carbon dioxide given off by the fish which in turn would benefit from the oxygen produced by the former.

Likewise, the nutrient enriched water coming from the dissolved uneaten feeds would provide the organic fertilizer for the plants as well as for other organisms in the water, he added.

Livelihood generationThe mariculture park is

now employing 135 locals as caretakers and harvesters/ divers. Some earn income from the construction, maintenance, and repair of the fish cage nets, hauling of feeds and handling and sorting of bangus after harvest, Ventura reported.

He added that there are yet many other investment areas that are just waiting for takers. These include fish feeds supply, fish hatcheries, ice and cold storage plants, processing plants for value-adding, cage

maintenance, and manufacture of packaging materials, among others.

Ventura said that interested parties who would like to invest in mariculture parks have to undergo training at the BFAR RFTC in Panabo. The local government requires letter of intent, application form, business plan, city business permit and lease agreement from the would-be investors.

The Panabo Mariculture park is managed by the City Mayor as chair of the Executive Management Council with the BFAR as co-chair. Its members include the Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council (FARMC) of Panabo City, Society of Aquaculture Engineers of the Philippines; Barangay captains of Brgy. JP Laurel, Cagangohan, and San Pedro; DENR-CENRO; Chair of Sanggunian Panglungsod committees on Environment, Tourism, Cooperative, SUCs; DepEd, LGU-PAGRO, Tagum City; BFAR RO-9 and RFTC-Panabo; NGOs and PFO Davao del Norte. (Melannie R. Guerra)

There is . . .

5

Angel Cooperative, Inc., entrepreneurial skills development; and the Quezon City government,selection and monitoring of benefiaciaries.

The project aims to enable the household beneficiaries to raise fish for their consumption using low-cost technologies that are easily adaptable to urban conditions such as very limited space.

BFAR director Malcolm I. Sarmiento, Jr. said the “Pangisdaan sa Bakuran” encourages the use of low-cost containers like plastic drums to grow food fish that do not require aeration and other expensive accessories.

The livelihood package consists of a 3-tiered 6-piece plastic drum pyramid, 180 pieces of pangasius fingerlings, feeds for the 90-day growing period, coaching and regular monitoring by the project collaborators. Technicians from the BFAR and Vitarich would be providing the necessary technical guidance.

QC Mayor Sonny Belmonte awarded the livelihood packages to Rodolfo E. Pepito and Dick Pelembergo of Brgy. Batasan Hills; Crispin D. Cueva and Cemelito P. Tan of Brgy. Commonwealth; Eduardo C. Culianan and Diosdado Garbin of Brgy. Damayan Lagi; Eduardo Aquino and Arcadio Panaligan of Brgy. Kamuning; Mary Rose Toledo and Wilfredo C. Sillote of Brgy. Obrero; Galahad Recto and Edna R. Torres of Brgy. Paligsahan; Edgardo Carbolos and Jun Sibal of Brgy. Payatas; Apolinar V. Lavarez,Jr. and Virgilio Dabuet of Brgy. Roxas; Joselito V. Jose and Jacqueline D. Abian of Brgy. Sacred Heart; and Grace Mabale and Josilito Caber of Brgy. South Triangle.

The awarding of the livelihood packages was undertaken last October 23 at the Halamanan sa Bakuran ng Brgy. Paligsahan.

The Pangisdaan sa Bakuran is one of the projects that are being aggressively pushed by the BFAR as part of its Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program.

QC barangays . . .

(R) Dir. Sarmiento presents the highlights of the Pangisdaan sa Bakuran Project during its launching. Also in the photo (from L) are Angel Multi-Purpose Cooperative Founder Angelito Sarmiento, QC Mayor Feliciano Belmonte and Vitarich Sales and Marketing Director Ricardo Manuel . (L) Mayor Belmonte and Dir. Sarmiento (partly hidden) award pangasius fingerlings to the 20 beneficiaries of the project.

The Department of Agriculture is embarking on a medium-term plan to boost fish production and sustain the high growth of Philippine fisheries by investing in ports in the country’s Eastern seaboard to encourage Filipino fishers to operate in the country’s generally untapped exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Pacific Ocean .

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said that the DA thru the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is putting up an initial four fish ports as part of government efforts to find alternative fishing grounds following the non-renewal of a bilateral agreement with Indonesia that has previously given access to Filipinos to the fishing grounds in that country.

The Philippine EEZ in the Pacific is home to migratory species like bluefin, yellowfin and skipjack tuna, which usually pass there during the colder months of the year’s second semester.

BFAR Director Malcolm Sarmiento said these fishing ports will be put in Casiguran, Aurora; Infanta, Quezon; Tacloban City in Leyte; and Surigao City in Surigao del Norte.

He said these chosen sites for the four fishing ports share two common traits: their geographic location facing the Pacific Ocean and their proximity to existing airports.

Sarmiento said the facilities that will be built in these areas will be patterned

after the fishing port in Davao City —it has piers, refrigeration facilities, ice plants and processing plants—to enable fishers to unload their catch, process them and export their products to whatever local or foreign markets because of their nearness to airports.

Although the three fisheries sub sectors—commercial, municipal and aquaculture—continued to post positive growth, Yap said during the Senate subcommittee hearing that the commercial subsector did not expand as much as it did in the past because the steep fuel costs has discouraged fishing vessels from going out to sea as frequently as they used to do.

“So if we are to sustain the growth of Philippine fisheries, we have to increasingly go into municipal fisheries and aquaculture and at the same revitalize commercial fisheries by opening up ports in the Pacific side,” Yap said.

Sarmiento said that right now, only a few local fishers operate in the Pacific Ocean because tuna and tuna-like species stay there only on a seasonal basis and the design of Philippine fishing vessels are not quite suitable for the rougher waters in the Eastern seaboard.

But the biggest factor that has discouraged Filipino fisheries from setting out in the Pacific Ocean EEZ is the lack of infrastructure facilities in the Eastern seaboard, he said, hence the

decision by the DA and BFAR to come up with a medium-term plan to put up fishing ports.

“With the recent closure of Indonesian waters to our fishing vessels, we have to look for alternative fishing grounds, and the likely candidate would have to be the Pacific Ocean EEZ,” Sarmiento.

“Until now, the Pacific EEZ is underutilized by local fishers for three reasons,” he said. “First, tuna and other tuna-like species are seasonal in that area.

Second, the design of Philippines fishing vessels are not really suitable for operations in the

DA - BFAR eyes untapped Pacific Ocean to boost fisheries production

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Those in Mindanao are located in Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Margosatubig, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga, Murcielagos Rizal, Zamboanga del Norte, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, Island Garden City of Samal and Panabo City, Davao del Norte, Mati, Davao Orriental, Surigao City and Dapa, Siargao Island, Surigao, del Norte, Barugo, Surigao del Sur, Sibutu-Sitangkai, Tawi Tawi,

BFAR director Malcolm Sarmiento Jr. said the latest additions to this growing numbers of aquaculture estates are the mariculture parks in Bacon and Magallanes in Sorsogon, in Rizal, Zamboanga del Norte and in Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte.

These industrial parks in sea that were first conceptualized five years ago by Director Sarmiento include basic infrastructure facilities like mooring systems that are set up in areas identified by marine technologists as ideal for fish farming.

“Mariculture parks operate much like industrial estates on land, with investors setting up or renting fish cages to grow high-value marine species such as bangus, lapu-lapu, siganids, seaweeds and other high-value aquatic organisms,” said Sarmiento in a report to Yap.

Along with the LGU and other stakeholders, a management council is organized by the BFAR and a development plan is crafted to ensure the health of the environment and the sustainability of every mariculture venture.

“Mariculture parks are not only practical and economical but are also ecology-friendly,” Sarmiento said.

To illustrate, you don’t have to cut a single mangrove tree in raising bangus, in a sea cage, Sarmiento said at a recent Senate hearing on the DA’s budget program for 2009. “It is also more economical because it would cost only about P150,000 to put up a sea cage while development cost for a hectare of fishpond would reach about P1 million,” he said.

Moreover, he said, yields can reach as much as five tons in a 10x10x 5 meter-sea cage inside a mariculture park, which is the same as in a one-hectare fish pond.

With production cost of P70.00-P75.00 per kilo, he said a fish farmer could easily earn some P 90,000.00 per cropping per cage or a total of P 180,000.00 for two cropping periods per year.

“To further increase his earnings, a fish

farmer can also grow danggit or samaral in sea cages in tandem with bangus under a system called aqua-polyculture,” he said After one cropping with 1,680 pieces fingerlings, the danggit catch could reach an estimated 100 kilos, which could easily fetch an additional cash of P 8,800.00.”

“This is a far cry from the usual two to three kilos of fish caught on ordinary days by a marginal fisherman using traditional fishing methods,” Sarmiento said.

Mariculture parks will help empower Filipino fisherfolk, he said, in raising their ability to grow fish under conditions that are to his advantage. Fish farming inside mariculture parks does not only mean assured profits for small fisherfolk, but also reduced working hours, more savings on fuel costs, and fewer hazards to life and limb as well, he added.

To encourage small fisherfolk to venture in mariculture parks, he said the BFAR helps fishermen organize themselves into cooperatives and enroll in its “Rent-a-Cage” Program.

Under this scheme, the fishermen could start raising fish and pay the cage rent, including the cost of production after selling their produce, he said.

A bamboo fish cage costs P 470,000.00 and a GI pipe cage, P 576,000.00. This amount covers the cost of the cage, fingerlings, feeds and labor, among others during the grow-out period, he said.

Within a period of two years or an average of four harvests, he said a fishermen’s cooperative could be able to pay in full the cost of the cage and acquire additional cages for their business venture.

Sarmiento said five fisherfolk-families are currently enrolled in the “Rent-a-Cage” program.

Besides empowering small fisherfolk, Sarmiento said the establishment of mariculture parks will also help mitigate the ill effects of climate change on the fisheries sector.

“Coral bleaching, changes in the migratory patterns of fishes, occurrence of dreadful diseases and even mutation are among the adverse effects of climate change on the marine environment,” he said.

Sarmiento said mariculture parks provide a respite for marine life to flourish and increase in population without any adverse effects on the environment.

RP has now . . .

partner in the conduct of paralegal trainings for deputized fish warden, as well as, in active law enforcement with the organization of a Bantay Dagat group called Task Force Karagatan. Perez is currently a member of the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council, an advisory and recommendatory body to the DA-BFAR.

The fourth awardee, Atty. Antonio Oposa is known for his efforts along with the late Elpidio de la Victoria to stop illegal fishing in the Visayan Sea. Through a network of volunteers called the Visayan Sea Squadron, they launched community-run sea patrols, led raids on producers of explosives and on commercial fishermen. Oposa is also an awardee of a UN Environment Programme Global Roll of Honor for Contributions to International Environmental Law.

BFAR is currently working on providing Oposa’s group with an MCS patrol vessel to strengthen their law enforcement activities. The said boat will be operated and maintained by the local government of Sagay.

Director Sarmiento said that the bureau recognizes that much of the developments in the fisheries sector, in addition to the prime position a small country have made in global fisheries production, are basically a product of concerted efforts and commitment of many individuals and institutions.

He said the GAWAD Sagip-Dagat plaque of recognition will be an permanent feature of the fish conservation week celebration to officially recognize individuals and organizations whose accomplishments have significantly contributed in ensuring the stability and sustainability of the fisheries and aquatic resources.

The BFAR hopes that under this scheme, more and more Filipinos would realize the importance of protecting and conserving this finite resource that provides food, livelihoods and incomes to millions of Filipinos.

Also given citations during the closing program are: BFAR-RO 2 for Seal of Frontline Service Excellence and officers and crew of the Philippine Coast Guard manning the following DA-BFAR MCS patrol vessels: DMPV 3004 led by LTJG Rejard V. Marfe and formerly by LCDR Joseph M. Coyme; DMPV 3006 led by Capt. Ferdinand Velasco; and DMPV 3008 led by CDR Artemio M. Abo.

BFAR lauds . . .

Dir. Sarmiento hands the First Gawad Sagip Dagat plaque to Dr. Romeo Trono.

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CABARROGUIS, QUIRINO – Small farmers are now in a better position to join the Pangasius bandwagon, after the BFAR Region 02 has determined the viability of feeding the fish with indigenous or alternative diet.

Dubbed as ‘the new darling of the aquaculture industry’, pangasius offers more income compared to other popular farmed fishes, however, it also requires higher capitalization.

One reason attributed to the high production expenses is the cost of fingerlings, at 3.50 to 7 pesos a piece, which were sourced from Nueva Ecija province.

Main reason however, is the cost of commercial feeds, which has been determined to account nearly 80 percent of total production cost.

“Pangasius can easily grow to more or less 1 kilo in 6 months. To do so, the fish also requires more feeds as compared, for example, to tilapia,” Dominador Abalos said during the Harvest Field Day on pangasius culture in cages here.

“Our project here has proven however, that we can significantly cut on feed expense by mixing golden snail (kuhol) with commercial feeds,” the Project Leader for the pangasius commodity program of the BFAR Region 02 said.

Alternative feeds proven feasible for pangasiusThe fish cage project established at the

Pagkain ng Bayan SWIP near the provincial capitol here, is a joint undertaking of the BFAR and the Quirino provincial government.

It consist of 9 cages with dimension of 3m x 3m x 2meters stocked with 144 pieces 9 grammers (2 – 3 inches) fingerlings each.

According to Abalos, two feeding treatments were made – the first 5 cages with pure commercial feeds and the rest, a mixture of 60percent commercial feeds and

40 kuhol. After a 6-month culture period, the

project implementers have determined that growth is even higher for the stocks fed with kuhol compared to those fed with commercial feeds alone.

Harvest weight averaged at 712.5 grams compared to 676 grams for the stocks fed with commercial feeds. “The savings on

feed expense translate to 45.75 percent return on investment as against 20 percent only for the treatment on pure commercial feeds,” Abalos explained.

He said that the good growth can be attributed to the high crude protein (CP) content of kuhol which is around 54 percent.

Production expense averaged at 6,023 pesos per cage for the first treatment and 5,293 pesos for the second.

Organic pangasius cultureThe project leader also disclosed

during the harvest field day result of their study on the organic culture of pangasius conducted at the Dacuycuy farm in Sillawit, Cauayan City, which he said, is also feasible and profitable even with the absence of commercial feeds.

“Our stocks reached 550 grams apiece within 6 months in fishpond culture. Stocking density is 1 piece per square meter. Although weight gain is lower, we can still have income as the stocks were fed purely with surplusvegetables and fruits, and also kuhol.”

Abalos, however, added that further studies are needed particularly on the determination of nutritional value of the indigenous / alternative diet to enable

RIZAL, Zamboanga del Norte - Dr. Lory Tan, Vice-Chair of the World Wildlife Fund-Philippines Board of Trustees, told the local townfolk to venture into fish farming during the recent launching of the Rizal Mariculture Park Project in the coastal barangay of Sebaca, this province.

Dr. Tan said that the mariculture park project being pushed by the Department of Agriculture thru the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to increase fish production is environment-friendly so long as proper management is observed and regulations strictly enforced.

The 200-hectare mariculture zone in Sebaca is one of the latest additions to the 40 mariculture parks and zones already operational in various parts of the country.

Likening the introduction of the new fish farming technology to the innovations made by Jose Rizal during his exile in Dapitan City, The WWF executive exhorted the fisherfolk to take on the first move. According to him, he who makes the first move is also the first to benefit.

“Be the first. One hundred years ago, Rizal has the vision to change the world and Dapitan City had been a witness to such.

WWF executive urges Rizal folks to invest in maricultureWith the assistance from the BFAR and support from the local government, I am confident that you can make it”, he said.

During the launching, the BFAR also turned-over 25 sets of bottom set gill nets, 50 sets of multiple longline and 2,500 kilos

of seaweed seedlings to Zamboanga Norte Governor Rolando Yebes. A total of 200 fisherfolk received said livelihood packages.

Gov. Yebes thanked Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap for bringing the project to his province saying that this will greatly benefit

turn to page 11

the people of the province. BFAR Director Malcolm I. Sarmiento Jr.

said that initially 2 units of fish cages will be made operational in the area for farming of lapu-lapu and bangus.

Sarmiento told the fisherfolk to take advantage of the high buying price of seaweed nowadays. “Dried seaweeds are being bought by merchants at P80-100 per kilo these days”, he said.

The seaweeds seedlings provided by the BFAR would jumpstart the establishment of a ¼ hectare seaweed nursery. In 45 days, enough materials will be available for a one hectare farm, Sarmiento added.

BFAR Regional Director Virgilio Alforque is upbeat that fish production from aquaculture in Region 9 will be enhanced with the full operation of mariculture parks in the region now numbering to 4.

The region is the third top fish producer in 2007, next to ARMM and Region 4B, with total

production of 612,523 MT.Also present during the launching are

Vice Governor Francis Olvis, Rizal, Mayor Roseller Manigsaca, barangay officials, ffisherfolk-beneficiaries and officials from various government offices.

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Coming to the rescue of fisherfolk reeling from high fuel prices, the BFAR has come out with various solutions that were showcased during the 2008 Agrilink, Foodlink and Aqualink last Oct. 9-11 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila.

These energy solutions, according to BFAR Director Malcolm Sarmiento, included the use of sails for fishing boats, windmills for water pumps, biofuels for engines, rented cages for fish farming, and urban aquaculture, among others.

“We advice fisherfolk to use sails in going to the fishing grounds; and use their engines only after catching fish or when they’re on their way back to the port. This would mean 50 percent savings in fuel,” Sarmiento explained.

The use of sails in fishing boats declined with the introduction of diesel engines, which were relatively cheap and, thus cost-efficient at that time. But the surge in world oil prices hovering above $100 a barrel makes the uses of sails a practical and attractive solution.

Similarity, BFAR is promoting the use of windmills to generate power for water pumps. This developed after fishpond

owners in Bulacan and Pampanga had sought BFAR’s help in addressing the high cost of fuel. It now cost an average of P15,000 worth of fuel to pump water into a one-hectare fishpond.

“We are also promoting the use of biofuels for engines and we are now experimenting on the correct mix,” Sarmiento added.

These technologies were prominently exhibited at Agrilink by BFAR, including its programs that promote the fisherfolk’s shift from fish hunting to fish farming through a project called “Cages for Rent.”

“We are teaching the most vulnerable sector – marginal fishermen - to be able to adapt the changing conditions. One of them is to shift from hunting to farming to fish culture in marine cages. We are also teaching them new trades because scientist say

that the effects of climate change would be mostly on the wild. So we’re already preparing the fishermen because scientists also agree that they are most vulnerable sector under climate change,” Sarmiento explained.

Sarmiento’s advocacy also endorses the use of fish aggregating devices. “I believe that fisherfolk would consume less fuel once they know exactly where to fish. We have put up payao and other fish aggregating devices in the fishing grounds so catching fish would be easier,” Sarmiento pointed out.

Another BFAR project, Urban Aquaculture, was also lauched during the event. “The Urban Aquaculture is a collborative endeavor with Vitarich, Angel Cooperative and the local government of Quezon City, so the household beneficiaries would at least have fish on their tables when they need it,” Sarmiento said.

The project involves the breeding and growing of pangasius, an imported food fish that can be propagated and grown locally.

BFAR joins AGRILINK, showcases energy solutions for fisherfolk

A team of fisheries negotiators from Palau Island is in town to explore joint fishing agreement with the Philippines, Director Malcolm I. Sarmiento, Jr. said.

The delegation is composed of Palau Ambassador to the Philippines Ramon Rechibei, fisheries officials, and top executives of three tuna fishing firms from Palau.

Sarmiento said the Palau team is now in General Santos City touring the facilities of local fish companies.

According to Sarmiento, the government

RP eyes Palau as new fishing groundis eyeing for a joint venture-type of deal that will allow certain number of Philippine fishing vessels to operate in Palau.

Since 2007, the DA through the BFAR, has been looking for new fishing grounds in other countries and territories. The Philippines fears of a significant loss in fishery production in view of the non-renewal of a new fishing access deal with Indonesia after the old one expired in 2006.

“With Indonesia, we will try to do another round of talks but I’m not putting much hope

anymore on forging a new agreement with them “ Director Sarmiento said. Instead, the government is considering other fishing areas, including Palau Island, he said.

BFAR is also working on an access agreement with Solomon Island, Micronesia and Kiribati.

Last year, the Philippines signed an agreement with Timor Leste for access to each other’s fishing grounds, as well as for joint initiatives for sustainable fishing resources management.

them to come up with appropriate feeding combination under organic culture.

According to BFAR RO2 regional director Dr. Jovita Ayson, this project is the latest among a roster of cost-cutting and productivity-enhancement technologies introduced this year.

This includes 45-days delayed feeding technology, use of duckweeds as feeds and polyculture (2 variances).

“We encourage our fish farmers who are interested in these technologies to visit our office for proper technical advice, especially now with the ongoing financial crisis,” Ayson said. (max prudencio BFAR RO2)

Alternative feeds . . .

Pampanga, for instance, pond owners spend around P15,000.00 per hectare per month for their electric-operated water pumps”, he said.

He added that although the total cost of windmill fabrication and installation sum up to P250,000.00, its maintenance cost for greasing is only P150.00 every 6 months. The life span of the windmill is 15 years under normal operating condition.

Nabunturan Mayor Macario Humol expressed optimism that the windmill project would be replicated by local stakeholders as this uses clean energy. He also said that the project could serve as a learning center for students in the use of renewable energy to reduce our dependence on traditional fuels like gasoline.

The use of windmills in fishpond and hatchery operations is part of BFAR’s strategy to address the high cost of fuel. Two more windmills are already in the pipeline for use in BFAR facilities this year. One will be put up at the National Freshwater Fisheries Technology Center in the Science City of Muñoz and the other will be in Region 2.

Windmill . . .

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Message for the 45th fish Conservation Week

Dr. Nicolas BaillyoiC, the Worldfish Center Philippine office

Magandang Umaga.First of all, allow me to thank

Dir. Sarmiento for giving recognition to the potentials of the PANUKAT ISDA, the fish ruler, and for inviting me to deliver this message. Allow me also to thank FIN, the FishBase Information and Research Group, Inc., particularly its Exec. Dir. Dr. Mary Ann Bimbao, for making our participation in this event felt and meaningful. Let me also express my appreciation to Mrs. Lotta Järnmark,

who did so much to promote the results of the Integrating Multiple Demands on Coastal Zones with Emphasis on Aquatic Ecosystems and Fisheries, more popularly known now as INCOFISH, a European Union-funded project under the auspices of the EC FP6 International Cooperation that has lent support for the development of the fish ruler. We must also thank Dr. Rainer Froese and Mrs. Amanda Pirlot from IFM-GEOMAR, Germany, who revisited the concept of the fish ruler to make it an actual and useful tool. I would be remiss in my duty, if I forgot to also thank the FishBase and SeaLifeBase teams. The Philippines can truly be proud of these people. Their hard and high quality work as well as their commitment to FishBase, now spanning 18 years, in collaboration with many of you in this august gathering, have made it possible for everyone to visit our website and access, for free, volumes of crucial information in support of fisheries management. We must recognize, therefore, that, today, information systems, such as FishBase and SeaLifeBase, play an increasingly important role in natural resource management. Such high level achievement in the Philippines corroborates the current government decision to increase the support for research and development, especially in the areas of food production and food security.

Beyond positive speeches, let’s face the reality: catch fisheries are in a serious crisis all around the world, both for industrial (commercial) and small-scale (municipal) operations. In adapting the fish ruler today, the Philippines moves forward in the fishery management ahead of almost all other countries in the world, where only Germany, Senegal, and Peru have already implemented it.

As Dir. Sarmiento has just elaborated, fishery management is not a simple issue that you can address by snapping your fingers, by designing ad hoc short-term solutions, or by implementing two or three simple measures on regulations and their enforcement. The fish ruler is no exception. The fish ruler alone will not suddenly make the commercial and municipal fisheries sustainable. Fisheries are complex socioecological systems, and a full set of regulations and actions must be undertaken at the same time from local to global levels in many domains such as biology and ecology of fishes and their ecosystems, socioeconomics of the fisher communities and alternative livelihoods, family planning and education, individual and community psychology, law and enforcement, conservation and marine protected areas. I may even have forgotten a few others.

One important point: it would be too easy pointing our accusing finger at fishers, making them the only guilty and responsible ones for the current and forecasted status of catch fisheries. The entire society is responsible. Solutions to be found are to be elaborated through collaborative work among all stakeholders. Sec. Yap has given detailed examples on building postharvest and processing infrastructures, and on developing market access for small and remote operators. Above all, the political will to address fishery management issues is equally crucial, and the commitment of the current government is indeed worth recognizing. My liberal use of the term “political” not only pertains to those persons within governmental bodies and political parties who steer countries, but also encompasses each and every one of us as well as concerned citizens who must likewise take on the responsibility of caring, while using, our environment.

This is where the fish ruler takes its all-important role, as a useful instrument that enjoins everyone to work together in the efforts to achieve one goal: improving fisheries management and making it sustainable.

In retrospect, we should be angry at some generations past—our parents and grandparents—who have left us with this collapsing situation. I want to be able to look at my daughter, eye to eye, and tell her: “Look, our generation did something to ensure that you can still eat fish from the wild, and that coastal communities can rely on renewable and renewed seafood resource.”

The fish ruler is part of that “something”. It is not only a useful piece of tissue, plastic, or laminated paper. It is a piece of hope for a better future.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has given official recognition to four outstanding fish conservation advocates this year for their significant contribution and dedication in conserving and protecting the country’s fisheries and aquatic resources.

In the culmination ceremony of the 45th Fish Conservation Week held here in Quezon City on October 24 last year, the BFAR paid tribute to the four recipients of the first GAWAD Sagip-Dagat award namely: Dr. Jose Ma. Lorenzo “Lory” Tan of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature -Philippines; Dr. Romeo G. Trono of the Conservation International-Philippines; and environmental lawyers Antonio Oposa, Jr. and Asis Perez.

Dr. Lory Tan has been an important partner of the BFAR in many conservation projects as well as in the development of marine protected areas in the country. Among his most recent collaboration is in the release operation of the 17-foot long butanding trapped at the PNOC port in Mabini, Batangas last August and in the release of 350 pieces live mameng or Napoleon wrasse in the waters of Tubbataha Reef in Palawan. Tan is currently the Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees of the WWF-Philippines.

Dr. Romeo B. Trono, on the other hand, is a staunch defender of marine biodiversity and its habitats. He is known for his works in the conservation of marine turtles or pawikan

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and the whale sharks or butanding. He was also instrumental in providing scuba divers from Donsol who helped the BFAR divers in releasing the dugong trapped in Batangas port. Dr. Trono is currently the Country Executive Director of CI-Philippines.

Atty. Asis Perez has been volunteering his time and efforts to help improve the plight of the small fisherfolk, especially in the CALABARZON region, BFAR director Malcolm I. Sarmiento, Jr. narrated.

As head of an NGO, the Tanggol Kalikasan, Perez had been cited in the formulation of a Unified Fishery Ordinance in Tayabas Bay and the Unified Rules and Regulations for Taal, among others. He had also been an active

Dr. Lory Tan receives the First Gawad SagipDagat plaque from Dir. Sarmiento

Confers Gawad Sagip-Dagat award

BFAR lauds alliesin fisheries conservation

10

The Department of Agriculture has issued a Fisheries Administrative Order prohibiting the trade of small tuna effective September last year in an aim to conserve the country’s tuna stocks.

FAO 226 has been issued by DA Secretary Arthur C. Yap which bans the catching of young tuna with weight of less than 500 grams a piece. The prohibition also applies to yellowfin tuna, big-eyed tuna, and skipjack tuna.

“Tuna is one of the top marine export products of the Philippines, and the tuna-fishery resources have been exploited by

purse-seine nets, which are observed to catch significant number of small tunas,” said Yap in FAO 226. The FAO also declares as illegal the trading of small tuna “beyond the by catch ceiling of 10 percent.

BFAR Director Malcolm I. Sarmiento Jr. said that the administrative order was also issued in compliance with policies of

The local tuna industry received fresh government support, after the DA assumed payment of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) fees without the required private sector counterpart.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said the exemption along with the proposed fuel discounts and direct oil imports by commercial fishing companies are among the measures Malacañang undertook to provide immediate relief to the fishing industry.

Yap said the BFAR would pay in full the WCFPC dues that private fishers are supposed to settle each year.

“To ease their discomfort, I am pleased to announce that DA-BFAR has decided to solely assume the payment of required WCPFC fees that we initially thought should be covered by private sector contributions,” Yap said.

Sec. Yap further said during the 10th Tuna Congress at the KCC Convention and Events Center that President Arroyo ordered extending support to the fishing industry in light of global changes such as the new international fishing rules and restrictions imposed by the WCPFC.

Yap said the oil price crisis has done much damage to the fishing industry, given that as high as 70 percent of operating budgets of the country’s tuna fishing companies go to fuel expenses.

He said WCPFC fees last year amounted P3 million.

Besides shouldering the fishing industry’s WCPFC fees, Yap said the Agriculture department argued before the WCPFC the Philippines’ position on allowing tuna

transshipment at sea, “subject to certain conditions related to timely and complete submission of catch data and compliance with other resource management protocols.”

The WCPFC Conventions bans tuna transshipment at sea, but the Philippines pointed out that the Commission also allows special dispensation to countries that have historically transshipped in this manner.

Yap said that imposing a ban on tuna transshipment at sea would seriously hurt the local industry, which is used to stationing catcher vessels in the areas of collection and just have the service vessels pick up the catch and deliver them to the target market.

“More recent developments seem to suggest, however, that future management prescriptions from the WCPFC will come in the form of conservation-oriented pills that our industry players will find too bitter to shallow,” Yap said.

Alongside this assistance, Yap said the President has directed the DA-BFAR and Department of Energy to work on other relief measures for industry stakeholders, including fuel price discounts that can be availed of from Petron Corp., which is partly owned by the government.

He said that BFAR and the Energy department began identifying the fishing companies that can be allowed to directly import their fuel requirements to help them pare their operating expenses in the face of the sharp rise in crude oil prices.

Yap said that fishing companies could also avail of loans from the Agriculture competitive Enhancement Fund for their respective fleet modernization programs as part of this new relief package for industry.

Tuna industry gets fresh govt support

more turbulent Pacific waters. The third, and this is the most serious reason, is that there are no infrastructure facilities in the Eastern seaboard to service Philippine operators who would decide to operate in the Pacific.”

“So with the permission of Secretary Yap, we drafted a medium-term plan that would include the establishment of fish ports with the Davao fish port as model,” Sarmiento said. “At least, this will enable the fishermen to unload to process their tuna catch and ship these to whatever export market,” he said.

Sarmiento said that Surigao City in Surigao del Norte is chosen because fishers can use the Butuan City airport. Tacloban is another good choice because fishers can use the airports in Tacloban and Cebu City, he added.

Casiguran is also a good place to put up a fishing port, he said, because with the completion of the road project connecting Aurora and Quezon, the fish catch there can be brought to Metro Manila in just a few hours’ time.

Infanta is one more ideal site, he said, with the impending completion of the 129-kilometer road from Marikina to Infanta, which will cut travel time between that province and Metro Manila to just two hours, Sarmiento said. About 100 kilometers of this Marikina-Infanta Road Project has already been finished by the Department of Public Works and Highways, he added.

DA - BFAR . . .

DA bans fishing, trading of small tuna

the WCPFC which is advancing increasing stocking of juvenile tuna especially big-eyed and yellow fin tunas. The country is a member of the WCPFC.

FAO 226 gives fishing operators only a grace period of three years from September this year to replace purse seine nets with legally acceptable fishing gears.

“The compliance of the nets to the legal mesh size should start in the first year of the total number of purse-seine catchers should phase out the illegal mesh size; on the second year it will be 20 percent and on the third year will be 70 percent,” said FAO 226.

The prohibited tuna purse seine was defined by BFAR as a type of fishing gear that surrounds a school of tuna fish attracted by payao lights. Purse seines have “nets with floats at the upper portion and purse rope or cable passes through to close the net bottom during fishing operations. The net is either hauled manually or through a mechanical or hydraulic net hauler or power block.”

With the new directive, government is expecting a reduction in catching of small fishes specially known tuna grounds in the Davao Gulf, Moro Gulf, Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea.

Instead of open sea commercial fishing, BFAR has been encouraging the establishment of aquaculture parks and mariculture parks and fish sanctuaries.

PHOTO ESSAY

Adopt-a-Goldfish. . . smash hit for kids and adult alike

Fish drums for backyard fish farming

BFAR DIRECTOR’S HOUR. . . a consistent crowd-drawer

2008 AGRILINK/FOODLINK/AQUALINKOctober 9-11, 2008

Mani la World Trade Center

PGMA’S VISIT. . . an honored surprise

THE BFAR AQUALINK PAVILION

PHOTO ESSAY

THE BFAR AQUALINK PAVILION

45 th FISH CONSERVATION WEEKOctober 19-25, 2008

BFAR Grounds/Quezon Memorial Circ le

PANUKAT ISDA. . . launching

“FISHTA “ SA QMC

1st GAWAD SAGIP DAGAT Awardees

16

TECHNOLOGY

A Mariculture park / zone is an area in the sea measuring 500 hectares or more where the farming of fish and other aquatic poducts can be undertaken. It has a communal storm resistant mooring system and boundary markers. It is subdivided into individual “farm plots” for fishcage operation, seaweed farming and other marine aquaculture activities.

Why Invest in Mariculture ?• Minimum rental• Security ensured by LGU, BFAR and AFP• Technical assistance from BFAR• Financial assistance from private and government lending institutions • Marketing assistance from BFAR, LGU, NGOs• Assurance of feeds, fingerlings, fish cages, manpower pool and other ancillary services• Capital investment secured

What are the Objectives?• Promote mariculture as a major livelihood for fisherfolk• Accelerate socio-economic growth and food security in the area• Develop skilled and technically capable fisherfolk to support the mariculture industry• Stimulate a favorable investment climate for the mariculture industry and its ancillary industries in the municipality

What are its Features?• Sufficient navigational lanes and commercial mooring systems• Internal and external security and floating security houses• Well-defined sites for investment category of small scale, medium scale and large scale investments• Multi-product on-shore warehouse, cold storage facility and service boat• Availability of manpower

Recommended Species for Sea Cage (mariculture) Farming

• Siganid (kitang) • Pomfret (pampano) • Sergeant Fish (tasi) • Caranx (talakitok) • Grouper (lapu-lapu) • Milkfish (bangus) • Seabass (apahap) • Saline Tilapia • Snapper (mangagat)

Benefits to Local Government(on a per hectare basis)

Mayor’s/Business permitsP1,500/mooring space/yearx 30 spaces./ha. P 45,000.00

Executive Management Council RentalsP5,000/mooring space/yearx 30 spaces./ha. P150,000.00

Employment benefits (No. of jobs) Caretakers - 60 Cage fabricators - 360 Security - 2 Mooring devt. - 15 Maintenance (5) Fry producers - 133 Transport & handling - 5346

INITIAL INVESTMENT

INPUT COSTS

Materials

Fingerlings

Feeds

Total

Quantity

15,000 pcs.

600 bags

Unit Cost

P7.50

P520.00

Total Cost

P112,500.00

P312,000.00

P424,500.00

Assumptions

Culture Period 90-120 daysCropping per year 3Bangus (per kilo) P85.00Survival Rate 95%Size at harvest 2 pcs/kg

Cost and Return Analysis 1 unit Sea Cage (10m x 10m x 5m)

1 Cropping Cycle

Other Business/Permits- Value Adding (Bangus deboning)- Cage suppliers- Feed suppliers- Fish dealers (shippers)- Warehouse- Ice plant & Cold storage- Bangus hatchery operations- Bangus nursery operations

2 Caretakers at P 4,500 / mo. X 4 mos. P 36,000.00 Emergency Labor Harvesting: 500 / 1 ton 3,750.00 Net changing: 4 man-days = P 150.00 x 2 1,200.00 ______________ Net P 40,950.00

LABOR COST

RETURN ON INVESTMENT 35%

CAGE COST

Materials

Sea Cage with mooring installed

Nets (1 cover and 3 reserve)

Total

Cost

P300,000.00

P 60,000.00

P360,000.00

Life Span

10 yrs. (70% of P300,000.00)

5 yrs. (30% of P60,000.00)

Depreciation Cost

P21,000.00

P1,800.00

P22,800/3= P7,600

SUMMARY Input Cost : P 424,500.00 Depreciation : 7,600.00 Labor Cost : 40,950.00 ______________ P 473,050.00 Production 7,500 kgs. Per cropping @ P 85.00 = P 637,500.00 Less: 437,050.00 Net Income: P164,450.00

Investing in Mariculture

Parks/Zone