BFAR partners with energy firm for seaweed farming project in Zambales

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has partnered with Redondo Peninsula Energy, Inc. (RP Energy), the developer of a 600-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, to allow several communities in Zambales to take advantage of the huge global demand for seaweed.

To push through with the seaweed farming project, a memorandum of understanding was recently signed among RP Energy, BFAR, Subic Bay Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Fisherfolk Association (SBIFARMFA), and Farm Capital Corporation — the company behind the brand Weedera.

The collaboration involves setting up of two pilot seaweed nurseries in Barangay Cawag and Barangay Matain in Subic. These nurseries will later expand into seaweed farms.

Weedera, which currently exports seaweeds to various countries like Japan, China and Taiwan, will be the one to buy the seaweeds to be produced from this venture at competitive prices.

Weedera President Neil Huele said seaweed currently has huge demand especially in Taiwan, China, and Japan.

"In fact, unknown to many, the Philippines is the third largest producer of seaweed in the world. There is still very huge potential,” he said.

RP Energy, for its part, facilitated the establishment of the seaweed nurseries.

The company is also responsible for the social preparation and coordination with the two beneficiary organizations of the project, which are identified as the Parola Fisherfolk Neighborhood Association (PAFNA), and Samahan at Ugnayan ng Mangingisda sa Matain (SUMAMA) of Subic. (MBM)