Aquaculture contributes 55% in Q1 fishery output
Aquaculture is vital to ensuring food security, generating employment opportunities and contributing to foreign exchange earnings
A Senate panel on Tuesday emphasized the need for the government to provide necessary means to further grow the aquaculture industry in the country as it contributed 54.15 percent to total fishery production of 4.248 million metric tons.
During a joint hearing by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform and Committee in Finance, Senator Cynthia Villar, underscored that the aquaculture sector is vital to ensuring the country’s food security, generating employment opportunities, and contributing to foreign exchange earnings.
Villar cited Philippine Statistics Authority 2022 data showing that aquaculture contributed 2.246 million metric tons to total fishery production, from 4.248 MT or 52.9 percent in 2021, and 4.4 MT or 52.8 percent in 2020.
Production further grew this year, accounting for 545,640 MT or 55 percent out of the 991,140 MT total fishery production in the first quarter alone.
Give importance to the industry
“Given this, it is critical for the government to give importance to the industry of aquaculture farming, and the House Bills which propose the establishment of hatcheries in several municipalities and provinces,” Villar said during the hearing.
The Senate panel discussed several house bills on establishing multi-species marine hatcheries in various municipalities and other rural areas to cater to small-time fisherfolk nationwide.
Villar said these hatcheries are necessary for the propagation of certain marine species to address the country’s dependence on imported fingerlings, like bangus, tilapia, mangrove crabs, pampano, shrimp, lapu-lapu, dangit, and other high-value marine species.
These will also provide seeds for the utilization of aquaculture in fish-producing provinces nationwide.
Substantial growth
“In recent times, aquaculture has experienced substantial growth, surpassing captured fisheries. By providing support to the aquaculture industry, will lead to the development of our fisheries industry in general,” she added.
For his part, Senator Robin Padilla stressed that supporting these measures will help the country boost the aquaculture industry while ensuring food security in the Philippines.
He also urged the government to prevent importation and expand exportation opportunities instead.
“These kinds of measures must be pursued because it will help to reduce importation,” Padilla said, adding that the country, given its geographical location, is abundant in agricultural produces.