CHAPTER 2

SELECTION OF FISH FARM SITE

2. EVALUATION AND SELECTION OF SITE

2.1 Criteria used

2.1.1 Water supply

Adequate supply of good quality of fresh and salt-water must be available year round in the site. Good quality
water suitable for fish culture is rich in oxygen, nutrients and free from pollutants.

Freshwater is important for mixing with sea water to maintain salinity level especially in the dry season when
evaporation is rapid. Freshwater is also necessary for the daily use of the workers in the fish farm.

For freshwater, the reliability of supply or flow rate from the source can be evaluated by knowing the: (1) required
rate of flow, Q (2) required depth for the pond, h (3) prescribed time, t of filling a given area, A of pond with water,
and (4) total losses during filling time arising from the evaporation and seepage or leakage from water delivery
canals and fishpond itself. The required rate of flow is determined from the formula:

Where Q = required rate of flow from the source (m3/sec)

t = time required to fill the pond (sec)
h = equivalent depth of water to be added to the pond for maintaining salinity (m)
A = pond area (m2)

The available rate of flow from the source (ground-water, spring, irrigation canal, river, creek, etc.) is compared to
the required rate of flow by the farm. The available flow must be equal or greater than the required flow.

In brackishwater areas, knowledge of tidal characteristics in the site is very important in determining its suitability
for fishponds. The height of the tide and its range determine the sufficiency of water, height of dikes, elevation of
pond bottom and water gates, size of gate opening, construction cost and others. Sites near the source of
pollutants that would pollute water supply such as mines, factories, food processing plants, oil rigs and densely
populated areas should be avoided.

2.1.2 Tidal range and ground elevation

The depth of water in pond to be maintained is determined by the height of incoming tide and height or elevation
of pond bottom based on zero tidal datum. Whenever possible, the available tidal range must be able to fill the
ponds by gravity to the specified depths. In relation to tide ground elevation, this depth should allow the most
economical construction (least cut and fill) of pond which would have an ideal pond elevation. The elevation of
pond bottom is considered ideal if it enables draining of the pond almost any day of the year and flood it with
seawater to the desired depth within five days or less during the critical spring tides. The critical spring tides
usually occur in the Philippines during the months of February, March and April (Denila, 1976).

Figure 2.1 serves as a guide in determining the suitability of fishpond site in relation to tidal conditions in the area.
A typical example in relating the tidal characteristics with the ground elevation of the site is shown in the Ban
Merbok estuary, Malaysia (Fig. 2.2).

The desired elevation for a pond bottom of a milkfish farm appears to be at least 20 cm from the zero datum
(MLLW) or at an elevation when at least 50 cm depth of water can be maintained in the pond during ordinary
tides.
Fig. 2.1 Suitability of proposed fishpond site based on tidal ranges and ground elevation under Philippine condition with tide
range of (-) 0.6 to 2.2 m or 2.8 m (After Jamandre and Robanal, 1975)

Fig. 2.2 Tidal characteristics of Ban Merbok estuary, Kedah state, Malaysia in relation to existing ground elevation of an area
(After Hechanova and Tiensongrusmee, 1980)
Areas reached only by the high spring tides should not be selected as it is expensive to move large quantities of
soil during excavation. There is also an added problem of disposing excess soil material. While constructing
higher and wider dikes may solve the problem, this would result to occupying more space in the pond
compartment and hence, less area intended for fish production. Low areas on the other hand will require much
higher and wider dikes, thus soil is moved at far distances further increasing construction cost. Excessive
construction cost for larger dikes is also true in areas where tides can reach as high as 3.5 m such as in East
Java, Indonesia (Djajadiredja and Daulay, 1982).

2.1.3 Soil characteristics

Many soil characteristics, especially those related to texture, determine its suitability for fishpond purposes. Soil
texture refers to the relative proportion of sand, silt and clay content of the soil. Table 2.2 below shows the
different soil classification based from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Classification System.

Table 2.2
Texture and textural name of the three main types of soil

Common name Texture Basic soil textural class name

Coarse Sandy; sandy loam
Sandy soils
Moderately coarse Sandy loam; fine, Sandy loam
Medium Very fine sandy loam
Loamy soils
Moderately fine Loam, silty loam, Silt
Sandy clay; silty clay; clay; clay loam; sandy clay loam; silty clay
Clayey soils Fine
loam

Areas suitable for fish production must possess properties which allow for the economical construction of dikes,
efficient growth of fish food, extended water holding and load carrying capacity and favourable chemical
properties.

(a) Desirable soil texture for ponds. Soils belonging to the following textural classification are desirable for
fishpond development: clay, clay loam, silty clay loam, silty loam, loam and sandy clay loam (Dureza, 1982).
Clayey soils are preferable because they are superior material for diking and holding water. They have good
compaction characteristics and low permeability. A very simple general rule can be followed: As a clay content of
the soil decreases, its suitability for fishpond construction also decreases. This is illustrated in Table 2.3

Loamy soils are also recommended. They have good organic matter content which favour the culture and growth
of natural fish food.

(b) Determination of soil texture. Soil texture can be determined by various methods ranging from the
sophisticated mechanical and laboratory methods to the simple practical and field methods. The following
sections outline some of these methods.

(i) Mechanical method

The amount of each soil separate (size fraction of sand, silt and clay) in a soil mixture determine its texture. The
popular Bouyocous mechanical test is a reliable method of determining the amount of each soil separate in the
soil through laboratory tests. The test results are then compared with a soil triangle (Fig.2.3) to determine the
textural name.

(ii) Field identification

There are three practical field identification methods to determine soil texture. These are the feel method using a
modified soil triangle, feel method (alternative) and ball method.
 Table 2.3
Relationship of soil classes and suitability for dike material (after BFAR-UNDP/FAO, 1981)

Class Permeability Compressibility Compaction Suitability

Clay Impervious Medium Fair to good Excellent
Sandy clay Impervious Low Good Good
Loamy Semi-pervious High Fair to very poor Fair
to impervious high
Silty Semi-pervious Medium Good to very poor Poor
Sandy to impervious to high
Peaty Pervious High Good Poor
Peaty Negligible Very poor

Fig. 2.3 Texture triangle showing the percentages of sand, silt and clay in the textural classes. The intersection of
the dotted lines shows that the soil with 55 percent clay, 32 percent silt and 13 percent sand has a clay texture
(After Dureza, 1982)

The use of feel method requires considerable practice in order to attain accurate interpretations. Textural
determination by feel involves the rubbing of a moist soil between the thumb and index finger. The ability of the
soil mixture to form good, medium or poor or no ribbons determine the corresponding texture as indicated in a
modified soil triangle shown in Figs. 2.4 and 2.5

Textural approximation by feel (alternative method) is also done by pressing a moist soil between the thumb and
forefinger. The corresponding texture is then compared with the U.S. Soil Survey definitions of soil for various
classes (Table 2.4)

The ball method consist of forming and squeezing a ball of moist soil in the hand. The stability of the balled soil
mixture to hold its shape when released or touched determines its texture. Table 2.4 is a helpful guide in
approximating soil texture for both the feel and ball methods.
 DESCRIPTION OF TEXTURE
VIEW OF SAMPLE AFTER ROLLING

No roll, sand, loamy sand

Beginning of a roll, sandy loam

The roll is continuous, but breaks

when ring is formed, loam and silt
loam

The roll is continuous, but the ring

cracks; clay loam, sandy clay loam,
silty clay loam

The roll is continuous; the ring is also

complete; silty clay; clay and sandy
clay

Fig. 2.4 View of samples of rolling, description and texture of soil by touch and feel (After Singh, 1982)

Fig. 2.5 Modified textural triangle for determining soil texture by the feel method (After Dureza, 1982)
 Table 2.4
Definition of soil for various textural classification

Textural class Definition

Sand is loose and single-grained. The individual grains can readily be seen or
felt. If squeezed in the hand when dry, it will fall apart when the pressure is released. If
Sand
squeezed when moist, it will form a cast, but will crumble when touched; will not form
ribbon between thumb and finger.
This soil contains much sand but which has enough silt and clay to make it
somewhat coherent. The individual sand grains can be readily seen and felt. If
squeezed when dry, it will form a cast which will readily fall apart, but if squeezed
Sandy loam
when moist, a cast can be formed that will bear careful handling without breaking.
Sands and sandy loams are classed as course, medium, fine or very fine, depending
on the proportion of the different sized sand particles that are present.
Has a relatively even mixture of the different grades of sand, silt, and clay. It is
mellow with a some-what gritty feel, yet fairly smooth and slightly plastic. If squeezed
Loam
when dry, it will form a cast that will bear careful handling, while the cast formed by
squeezing the moist soil can be handled quite freely without breaking.
Has a moderate amount of fine grades of sand and only a small amount of clay,
over half of the particles being of the size called silt. When dry, it may appear quite
cloddy but the lumps can be readily broken and when pulverized it feels soft, smooth,
Silt loam and floury. When wet, the soil readily runs together and puddles. Either dry or moist, it
will form casts that can be freely handled without breaking; it will not form a ribbon if
squeezed between the thumb and finger when moist but will given a broken
appearance.
This is a fine textured soil, the characteristics of which are midway between the
Clay loam characteristics of the silt loam and the clay loam. If moisture conditions are ideal, it is
possible to form a ribbon with it when squeezed between the thumb and finger.
A silty clay loam is a fine textured soil which breaks into clods and lumps that are
hard to break with the squeeze of the hand when the clods are dry. When the moist
Silty clay loam soil is pinched between thumb and finger it will form a cast that will bear much
handling. When kneaded in the hand, it does not crumble readily but tends to work
into a heavy, plastic, compact mass.
A clay is a fine textured soil usually forms very hard lumps or clods when dry and
is quite plastic and is usually sticky when wet. When the moist soil is pinched out
Clay
between the thumb and fingers, it will form a long, flexible ribbon. Some fine clays very
high in colloids are friable and lack plasticity in all conditions of mixture.

(c) Soil investigation procedures and equipment. Both physical and chemical properties of the soil must be
investigated and considered in making the final decision on the suitability of a site for fishpond development. The
procedure consists of taking soil samples properly from the site from which measurements of some parameters
that describe the characteristic of the soil useful in engineering are obtained. There are standard methods of tests
which are specifically applied to determine certain soil properties.

(i) Soil sampling

As standard practice, several samples should be obtained from pre-determined and scattered locations within a
given site through borings. It is better to have more number of borings in well-planned locations to cover the whole
site.

For relatively shallow boring, soil samples are obtained by means of augers (Fig.2.6). The auger is turned
vertically into the wet soil by hand and withdrawn after reaching a short distance. The soil sticking to tha auger is
collected and labeled properly. The auger is driven again into the soil deeper and again withdrawn to get the soil.
The process is repeated until the soil samples are collected from selected intervals of soil depth. Soil samples
should at least be drawn from 10 random locations per hectare.

The preliminary examination and classification of the soil texture may be done at the site. The samples from each
selected depth interval is packed in a sealed plastic bag for further laboratory test. The bags should be marked
with information on the date of boring, location, water table elevation and boundary or thickness of each soil layer.
Rough sketches on the location and depth of borings from each site should be kept.
 Fig. 2.6 A typical soil auger

Soil auger can also be fitted with sampling spoons for obtaining a tube size sample or “spoon sample” for
undisturbed samples needed for permeability and compressibility tests (Hechanova, 1982). The device consists of
a pipe with inside diameter ranging from 3.5 to 10 cm and split lengthwise. The operation of this device is similar
to that of a soil auger. The total depth of sampling varies depending on the type of investigation being carried out.

As a rule of thumb, the depth to be investigated should reach the hard soil (impermeable) layer. If the hard soil is
so deep, depth of investigation should reach at least three meters.

(ii) Measurements to be done from the soil

The most important factors to be determined from the soil are, for physical properties — textural class, load
bearing capacity, and permeability; for chemical properties — soil pH and presence of acid-forming substance
such as pyrites and sulfides.

The texture is the most important physical property of the soil in fishpond engineering. Knowing the texture, much
can already be said on the characteristics of the soil. Soil texture gives information on its ability to resist the flow
of water through it (seepage), attainable compaction, and load bearing capacity.

Load bearing capacity refers to the capability of the soil to carry, heavy loads. This information guides designers
in determining the type of foundation for structures (gates and dikes) and the amount of pilings needed up to a
certain point. Brackishwater pond site usually has low bearing capacity of foundation. In addition to driving piles to
strengthen foundation, structures should be of lightweight construction. It has been experienced that these
structures should not exert a contact pressure of more than 150 g/cm2 or 1.5 tons/m2 (Tang, 1976).
The possible seepage flow at the site or loss of water in the pond by passing through dikes and pond bottom is
calculated by determining the permeability of the soil and the nature of foundation. There are extensive
procedures in literatures in determining permeability of soil in the laboratory or in-situ.

Soil pH provides an initial and immediate measure of the chemical nature of the site. The soil reaction whether
basic or acidic has direct relationship to fish production. The pH scale varies from 1 to 14 units and the desirable
range of soil as well as water pH for aquaculture is 6.5 to 8.5. Lower than 6 is too acidic for most fish species and
other aquatic animals and greater than 9 is likewise infavourable for growth. Greater values than 9 approach
polluted condition.

Measurement of pH may be done on-site or in the laboratory by using pH meters or for less accurate values,
litmus paper. Extensive determination of pH is done down to 1 m deep, at 0.25 m interval, especially in
problematic acid sulfate soils.

Incidentally, a large hectarage of coastal areas tend to have acidic pH. It is noted that approximately 5 million ha
of coastal area in the South and Southeast Asia are known to be potential or actual acid sulfate soils (Poernomo
and Singh, 1982). Acid sulfate soils are associated with the accumulation of sulfides and pyrites after undergoing
biological and chemical processes.

Sulfides are compounds that produce acidity upon oxidation. The resulting acidic soil condition in turn facilitate the
release of aluminum and iron to levels that may be toxic to pond biota including the cultured species. Pyrite is a
mineral which is fixed and accumulated by the reduction of abundant sulfate from seawater. The usual pH range
of acid sulfate soils is 3 to 6.5 (Poernomo and Singh, 1982). Further discussion on this kind of soil is given in
Appendix C.

2.1.4 Topography of the site

Topography refers to the “lay of the land” or the changes in the surface elevations of the ground whether flat,
rolling or sloping, undulating, and hilly. Fishpond design, layout and specifications are made largely in accordance
with the land topography.

A suitable site for fishpond has a topography that can be converted into a pond economically. The cost of
construction can be greatly reduced if the surface features of the land are used to advantage.

Flat coastal swamplands whose elevation are within the range of ideal pond bottom elevation are preferred for
brackishwater pond culture. In such areas, excavation or filling are at a minimum, if any. Sites with rolling
topography or those with elevations varying from lower than MLLW (00 tidal datum) to 4–5 m high must be
avoided as these will be too costly to level (de los Santos, 1980).
Denila (1980) describes four zones in the coastal edge as probable sites for fishpond (Fig. 2.7).

(a) Zone A. Marginal lands along edges usually planted to lowland rice but generally unproductive due to salt
water seepage can be converted into fishpond by lowering the elevation through excavation. These are usually
productive as fishponds because of good soil quality. The cost of excavation can make these areas relatively
more expensive to develop due to their high elevation.

(b) Zone B. The elevation is generally high with occasional earth mounds along the edges but can be reached by
tides. High dikes not necessary but development cost may be expensive if a big portion of the area needs
excavation.

(c) Zone C. This area is within the ideal range of pond bottom elevation, thus excavation cost is less. However,
extreme acidity may occur because of the presence of vegetation that contributes to acidity.

(d) Zone D. The elevation is low or just a little higher than the 00 datum (MLLW). It is very exposed to wave action
which may require expensive big dikes and wave protection structures. No acidity problem, hence, may be ideal
for shrimp culture.

2.1.5 Type and density of vegetation

Coastal fishponds in the tropical and sub-tropical zones are constructed on tidal lands, river estuaries, bays and
sheltered coasts. The vegetation present in these areas are varied depending on the land elevation and soil type.
However, mangrove trees pose serious concern to fishpond development because of their extensive rooting
system.
 Fig. 2.7 The four zones in typical swamps as probable sites for fishpond (After Denila, 1980)

(a) Vegetation uses and related benefits. Vegetation provides several beneficial uses not only in fish culture but
also for other purposes. In Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, mangrove trees are utilized as
timber for construction, furniture, charcoal sources and other uses. They have also been found to be useful in big
offshore shrimp fisheries not only in these areas but also in Indonesia.

In addition to playing an important role in the maintenance of various forms of biological life, mangrove forests
also serve as silt collectors promoting soil accretion, absorber of wave impact and buffer of storm surge levels
(Menasveta, 1982).

(b) Effects of soil properties. The type and density of vegetation is also an important criterion in fishpond site
selection. Knowledge of their composition and abundance can provide information for an easy and practical
evaluation of the physical and chemical properties of soil.

A practical guide in evaluating some physical and chemical properties of soil based on type of vegetation is
presented in Table 2.5 (Menasveta, 1982; Adisukresno, 1982; Poernomo and Singh, 1982).

Table 2.5
Physical and chemical characteristics of soil in relation to type of vegetation found

Description of soil property Type of vegetation/species

Physical
Elevated areas Avicennia
Low areas Rhizophora, Melaleuca, Phoenix, certain shrubs and ferns
Sandy soils Nipa palm (Nypa fruticans), grasses
Peaty soils Nypa, Melaleuca
High organic content Rhizophora
Chemical
Potentially acidic Nypa, Rhizophora, Melaleuca
Less acidic Avicennia
Mangroves with Avicennia usually indicate productive soil. Mangroves with Rhizophora,
Bruguiera and Sonneratia are sometimes less suitable for fishponds.

(c) Relationship to amount and cost of construction work. There is a direct relationship between vegetation and
the amount and cost of fishpond construction work. Areas where mangrove trees with dense rooting systems
like Rhizophora, Nypa and Melaleuca are more difficult to excavate. At the same time, densely vegetated areas
takes longer time to clear of stumps. As a result, cost of fishpond construction is higher.

Vegetative density is dependent upon the kind, size and quantity per unit area. Total vegetation from the site can
be estimated by obtaining at least five random samples regardless of area. Then the vegetation is classified
according to kind, size (3 cm trunk diameter and above only) and number. Total vegetation is computed using the
following formula as suggested by BFAR-UNDP/FAO, 1982.

2.1.6 Climatic and watershed conditions around the site

The climatic factors largely affecting site selection and fishpond design are wind and rainfall. The direction of
prevailing wind is reckoned with in designing the layout of fishponds as it generates erosive wave action against
the dikes. The wind energy also causes natural water circulation and aeration in the pond. For rainfall information,
maximum intensity, duration, frequency and annual distribution within the watershed are important as these are
associated with flooding that would affect the site.

The land area that surrounds or lies above the site is referred to as a watershed. This drains its collected surface
runoff through a river, river system or body of water causing flood water which could affect the site. The volume of
flood water or runoff are affected by the rainfall and soil characteristics, type of vegetative cover, topography, and
area of the watershed. Much higher rate of runoff can be expected in a watershed that has high rainfall intensity
and duration, clay or heavy-textured soil covered with less vegetation or grassland, high slopes and covering
large area than a watershed characterized with low rainfall intensity and short duration, loamy or coarse-textured
soil that is forested with flat or gently rolling slope and small area.

The pattern and recurrence of maximum height of flood waters in the site must be determined. These information
can be obtained from the rainfall or flood records of appropriate agency for each country. It is common, however,
that the sites are located in remote areas where such records may not be available. In this situation, rough
information on flood may be obtained from knowledgeable residents who have seen the recurrence of floods for
years in the area.

The design of fish farm should be based on a flood height with recurrence interval of 10–15 years. Longer
recurrence interval of 25 or 50 years means much higher flood level and hence, much bigger dikes and structures
which makes the design uneconomical or impractical. It would be more economical to repair damaged fishponds
(designed for 10–15 years flood) during the sudden occurrence of say 25 years or longer term floods than to
design the entire farm for such floods.

2.1.7 Other criteria

There are other factors which are significant in fishpond site selection. These are equally as important as those
previously mentioned and likewise require the same careful evaluation during the survey.

a. Accessibility. This is important for the transport of construction equipment and material, and for production
inputs required for daily operations. Transporting costs can considerably increase if materials are
manually carried through long distances. It is better if the site is accessible throughout the year by means
of land and water.
b. Availability of labour. The cheapest sources of labour are those which can be provided by the local
residents, or people living within or near the area. It is important that the customs and tradition of local
labourers are known. The pattern of labour distribution and utilization should be considered as this is
important in preparing the calendar of activities. In the Philippines, it is generally difficult to obtain enough
labour during the rice planting and harvesting season or during milling season for sugarcane.

c. Availability and cost of material. In fishpond production, it is important that critical production inputs such
as fishseeds, fertilizers, pesticides and other related materials are readily available when needed. For
some inputs, especially inorganic fertilizers, the supply is restricted and the cost is uncontrolled for non-
agricultural uses. Other inputs like organic manures are difficult to obtain, or may be available only at
 certain times of the year. If purchase in bulk is necessary, then storage space must be available. If
material is to be imported, restrictions and corresponding costs must be known.

d. Availability of marketing outlets and prices. Aquaculture products are highly perishable. Immediately upon
harvest, products must be disposed of to maintain good quality and for better prices. If marketing outlets
are located at a distance, larger quantities must be harvested and transported requiring some post-
harvest marketing practices. If so, then the required support facilities especially ice-making plants must be
available.

e. Availability of credit and technical assistance. Fishpond operations require high initial capital investment.
In this respect, credit at reasonable terms play a major role in providing the needed cash outlays.
Technical assistance may be obtained from government extension services, public or private university
research stations and lending institutions. The services rendered by these agencies are important
especially in cases of emergency.

f. Pattern of land and water use. It is important to assess the pattern of land and water use in the area to
determine the impact of this on the project. Activities such as navigation, fishing, industries, public utilities,
recreation and nursery areas must be included in the overall assessment. It is best that a complementary
rather than competitive relationship between these various uses and the project be established.

g. Peace and order situation. Good peace and order conditions at site are favourable for both public and
private interests.

2.2 Making the decision

The success of coastal fishpond operations depends not only on the general site suitability for fish production but
also on other related factors such as input and labour availability, accessibility, marketing considerations and
others. Site selection not only involves the determination of desirable physical, chemical and biological factors. It
is also important in providing valuable information in the preparation of the overall design and layout of the facility,
engineering modifications to be made and the choice of management practices appropriate for the given site.

It is important to remember that there is no site that possesses all the desirable characteristics for fishpond
operation. Moreover, no two sites are exactly identical with one another. Hence, the degree of suitability of various
sites evaluated vary from one area to another.

2.2.1 Method of evaluation

The evaluation of the suitability of fish farm sites involves a detailed survey of both technical and non-technical
aspects, and the processing of information gathered in order to make the final selection.

a. The survey. If possible, the survey should be comprehensive to cover aquacultural, ecological,
engineering, socio-economic, management and financial aspects. As a standard practice at least two
surveys should be conducted during the year—one each during the dry and rainy seasons. It is important
to evaluate the prevailing conditions for different seasons because there are factors that change at
different times of the year. A wrong judgement could be made in the selection if only one survey is
conducted.
Conducting the survey can be a costly, laborious and time-consuming exercise if the proper steps,
procedures and preparation are taken for granted. Adisukresno (1982) recommends the following to save
money, time and effort:

i. Sufficient and complete questionnaires or forms should be prepared before leaving for the survey;
ii. Questionnaries must be properly and completely accomplished during the survey;
iii. An itinerary or travel schedule should be prepared;
iv. Only trained or capable personnel should conduct the survey;
v. Needed field equipment should always be put together and brought along;
vi. A list of people to be the met and purpose of meeting should be prepared ahead of time.

b. Processing of information. Data and information collected during the survey are combination of
quantitative and qualitative; thus, it is very difficult to arrive at a general decision. The most commonly
used method of deciding the suitability of sites from among a number of prospective sites surveyed is the
point and ranking system.
 c. Applying the point and ranking system. Under this system, all data and information are transferred into
numbers or assigned numerical points or scores. The scoring could be from 1 to 10 or from 1 to 100. A
site with the most desirable characteristic for a certain criterion is assigned the highest score, the lower
the value, the less ideal or desirable site becomes and vice-versa. For example, in evaluating the
accessibility, if a road leads right into the central area, a score of 10 can be given to this site; if reached
within walking distance, 9; and if reached along across a river or creek, 8 or less. With regard to the type
of vegetation, presence of Nypa sp. can be ranked lowest; mangrove with Avicennia sp. can be ranked
highest, and so on.

There are two ways of assigning points for the different items in the criteria: (i) one may consider every criterion to
have equal degree of importance; and (ii) the other way recognizes the varying degree of importance of each
criterion by assigning weights or multiplying factors. The latter (ii) is considered better than the former. Essentially
it is just an added step from the first (i) in order to get the weighted score. Jamandre and Rabanal (1975) suggest
the following relative weight multiplier for various criteria under conditions in Peninsular Malaysia.

Criterion Relative weight (multiplier)

(a) Accessibility 1
(b) Socio-economic impact 3
(c) Water supply system 2
(d) Available area 2
(e) Water quality 3
(f) Soil quality 3
(g) Kind of vegetation 0.5
(h) Density of vegetation 0.5
(i) Elevation 3
(j) Possibility of mechanization 1
(k) Protection from winds, waves, currents, etc. 1

The points earned under each criterion using either the unweighted or weighted method are added together. Final
selection from among the sites is done by setting a cut-off score. Sites that obtained total points above the cut-off
score are qualified for selection. However, the sites that qualify must be ranked according to the total scores
earned. Sites with the highest scores are the most desirable. Rabanal and Jamandre (1975) suggest an
evaluation range for scores earned under Malaysian conditions as follows:

Range of scores (%) Evaluation

80 to 100 Excellent site for development
60 to 79 Very good
40 to 59 Good
Below 40 Not worth considering