Agri Dept. allots money for Palawan fisheries

The Agriculture Department has set aside P5 million to boost Palawan’s marine fishery and aquaculture sector. In a statement Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the fund will be used to expand fish ponds and purchase additional broodstock for the inland sea ranching station of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Palawan. “This is in line with the priority goals of the Aquino administration to attain food sufficiency and increase the productivity and income of fisherfolk and their families," Alcala said. The BFAR project will “ensure the production and continuous supply" of fish fry and fingerlings for dispersal to fisherfolk engaged in aquaculture and marine fish production in Palawan and nearby provinces. “Through mariculture, fishermen can produce [on] sustainable basis high-value species such as grouper and sea bass that fetch high prices both in domestic and export markets like China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan," Alcala said. Meanwhile, BFAR 4-B director Emmanuel Asis said that fry and fingerling production could be sustained and maximized through mariculture other than the traditional fish-pen method. Alcala said the Dutch-owned South Sea Exclusive has invested in grouper broodstock development and fry and fingerling production in Palawan. The firm plans to partner with interested fishermen to raise and produce commercial quantities of grouper for both domestic and export markets, he said. — With Jesse Edep/VS, GMANews.TV