Planning development for aquaculture

Aquaculture plays a significant role in the national economy by providing employment

and being a major source of cheap protein food for the growing population. Aquaculture is
growing much faster while capture fisheries is declining. However, the global position of the
Philippines in aquaculture production has fallen steadily from 4th place in 1985 to 12th place
today (Paclibre, 2005). The Philippines must expand and develop its aquaculture resources to
follow the pace of world aquaculture and get back to its past position. Strategic plan and
management programs with global perspective must be laid out for a systematic development.
The role of aquaculture development within the framework of the policy is to contribute
to increased production by taking advantage of the existing semi-skilled surplus manpower
available within the marine fisheries sector (Paclibre, 2005). Planning development for
aquaculture involves activities that will help increase employment opportunities, raise income
and living standards, and promote active participation of the people in the fishing activities
through development and maximum exploitation of the fishery resources of the country in line
with sound fishery management practices.

Fisheries education must be standardized to develop young and well-educated fisheries

personnel, specially in rural areas where aquaculture operations are possible to begin and
flourish. At young minds, they must be fed with proper education, developed skill and molded
for global competence.

Promotion on the participation of the rural people on aquaculture activities can be achieved
by conducting extension services. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and other
institutions and organizations must continue to conduct extension service specially on marine
and rural areas to educate the people on the current status of the Philippine Fisheries and
encourage them to engage in aquaculture and post-harvest activities. Extension services on fish
farmers must also be conducted to educate and teach them on the proper management practices
that will not only maximize production but also lessen environmental degradation. The
government should also help by funding projects for aquaculture in rural areas where financial
status can be a hindrance for development. This will not only generate employment but will
also help increase the country’s fish production.
 Training of core personnel is also important to increase the number of fisheries expert and
skilled personnel in the country. The government must also continue to support the conduct of
researches for the aquaculture industry by giving funds. Continuous researches should be
encouraged to address different issues on aquaculture and make innovations that will help
increase fish production. Researchers must also look on the environmental impact on
conducting researches not only in increasing production for the research to become sustainable.
Expansion on existing aquaculture operations must be encouraged, however, with proper
management practices. New technologies can be adopted to intensify production. Technologies
such as treating and recirculating water must also be adopted to the industry.

Reference

Paclibare, J.O., 2005. National Aquaculture Sector Overview - Philippines. National Aquaculture Sector
Overview Fact Sheets. In: FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, Rome.