STATUS OF AQUACULTURE

IN BICOL

Plutomeo M.Nieves, Ph.D.

Bicol University Tabaco Campus
Tabaco City
Is Fish an issue for everyone?

• Is a key ingredient on the global menu

• A vital factor in the global environmental balance
and an important basis for livelihood worldwide
• Has important impact on every person in every
society because we are surrounded by the fishes’
habitat that is most vital of all life giving substances
- water
Why Fish an Issue?

The world’s average per capita consumption

of fish has almost doubled while those who
catch, grow, process, trade and consume fish
have changed almost beyond recognition.
So what?
As overall demand continues to increase , we
are forced to face the fact the this level of
demand may not be met and trying to meet it
may cause long-term irreversible damage to
the environment and limit the future options of
many people.
• What makes it so urgent?

• The problems are multiplying and this is the

appropriate time for public awareness and dialog
such that a vision for the future in which aquatic life
has positive impact on food security, nutrition,
livelihood and employment.
• The goal then is… to establish a sustainable
AQUACULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL
PRACTICES along rivers, coastlines , lakes and
seas and other bodies of water
STATUS OF AQUACULTURE
IN BICOL REGION
Bicol – haven of fish size extremes!
Bicol Region
Bicol Region
 FISHERY RESOURCES
• Marine Resources
1.Total Territorial Water Area 2,200,000 sq. km.
(including the EEZ)
a. Coastal 266,00 sq. km.
b. Oceanic 1,934,000 sq. km.

2.Shelf Area (Depth 200 m) 184,600 sq. km.

3.Coral Reef Area 27,000 sq. km.

(Within the 10-20 fathoms where reef fisheries occur)

4.Coastline (length) 17,460 km

 FISHERY RESOURCES
• B. Inland Resources
1.Swamplands 246,063
ha
• a. Freshwater 106,328 ha
• b. Brackishwater 139,735
ha
• 2.Existing Fishpond 253,854 ha
• b. Brackishwater 239,323 ha
• 3.Other Inland Resources 250,000 ha
• a. Lakes 200,000 ha
• b. Rivers 31,000 ha
• c. Reservoirs 19,000 ha
 Fish Production (in Metric Tons), by Type by Province,
Bicol Region, 2004-2005 (Source: BAS)

PROVINCE COMMERCIAL MUNICIPAL AQUACULTURE

2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005

ALBAY 3,394 4,557 4,935 6,951 1,139 1,879

CAM NORTE 3,461 4,017 17,580 18,257 11,682 20,916

CAM SUR 22,706 24,136 25,958 27,867 10,876 20,914

CATANDUANES 7105 6839 9 24

MASBATE 10,051 9,859 30,962 31,217 784 784

SORSOGON 2,341 10,230 11,528 14,598 2,999 9,721

BICOL 41,953 52,799 98,068 105,729 27,489 54,238

Characteristics, structure and
resources of the sector
• Contributes to food security, employment and extent foreign
exchange earnings.
• With long history involving several species and farming practices.
• Mostly traditional farming system : monoculture to poly-culture;
semi-intensive to intensive farming are operated by affluent farmer.
• Seaweed farming is in sheltered areas
• Mussel farming in Sorsogon Bay
 Human Resources
• 2002 Census of Fisheries of the National Statistics Office reported total
of 226 195 aquaculture operators working in: fishpond operation
(126 894), seaweed farming (73 549), fish pen operation (5 325), oyster
farming (3 041), mussel farming (2 422) and others (14 964).

• In Bicol no report is available

•Women are an integral part of production and post harvest activities. In
addition, the various grow-out and hatchery systems require skilled labor
and technical personnel.

• State Universities and Colleges (SUC’s) in the region has a vital role in
producing appropriate manpower supply for the fisheries sector.
 Farmed Species
Brackish Brackish
water water Freshwater Freshwater Marine
Fishpond Cage Fishpond Cage Marine Pen Cage
Milkfish Grouper Tilapia Milkfish Milkfish Milkfish
White
Tilapia Others Carp Tilapia Grouper shrimp
Tiger prawn Catfish Carp Grouper
Mudcrab Siganid
Endeavor Spiny
prawn lobster
White
shrimp Others
Siganid
• Mari-culture include mussel and seaweeds
Farming Practices
Water Source:
Brackish water
Freshwater
Lakes, reservoir, dams
Marine

Farming/Culture Structure
Fishpond
Cages
Pen

Level of Management
Traditional/Extensive
Semi-intensive
Intensive
Recent Developments and Future
Prospects
• Future growth of aquaculture in Bicol many be
sustained:
-New species (Hatchery, feed, farming tech.)
-New markets and support facilities developed,
- Market competitiveness is strengthened
- Farming risks are reduced.
- Post-harvest, value adding and product.
-Mariculture
Grow-out Culture in Ponds

Net enclosure

Bamboo enclosure

Concrete dike enclosure

Culture pen in mangroves: Aqua-silviculture
Recent Developments and Future
Prospects

•Extension services and technology transfer should be

made effective to serve not only the affluent fish
farmers but also the poor small-scale farmers.

• Aquaculture can be improved given the support of

government, non-government organizations, the
industry and private sector.
Opportunities in the
Culture of Prawn
(Macrobrachium
rosenbergii)
Research, Development and
Extension
Research, Development and Extension. . . .

R&D topics
• Social and economic aspects of aquaculture
• New species for culture
• Seed production and brood stock management
• Organic aquaculture
• Feeds and feeding
• Fish health management
• Post-harvest, product development, value adding
• Stock enhancement
Research, Development and Extension. . . .

R&D strategies
• Technology verification
• On-farm testing
• Economics of farming practices
• Nutrition and feed development
• Health management
Research, Development and Extension. . . . .
On Extension:
• Extension service and techno-transfer
• Poor technology adoption due to
- inadequate number of fisheries extension personnel.
- they also have narrow technical backgrounds and
- rarely been trained in extension theory and practice.
- inappropriate and high-tech technology for poor households
- perception that aquaculture is a risky investment if the
benefits have not been proven to them.
- wait and see stance before they commit themselves.
 MARAMING
SALAMAT PO….