AQUACULTURE ENGINEERING: AN

INTRODUCTION
IMPORTANCE OF AQUACULTURE

 Aquaculture refers to breeding, rearing,

and harvesting of animals and plants in all
types of water environments including
ponds, rivers, lakes, and the ocean.  
IMPORTANCE OF AQUACULTURE

 Aquaculture is used for producing seafood for human consumption; enhancing

wild fish, shellfish, and plant stocks for harvest;
 restoring threatened and endangered
aquatic species;
 rebuilding ecologically-important
shellfish habitat;
 producing nutritional and industrial
compounds; and
 providing fish for aquariums.
AQUACULTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE FISHERY
RESOURCES
Total Territorial Water Area
2,200,000 sq. km.

Shelf area (Depth 200m)

184,600 sq. km.

Coral Reef Area

27,000 sq. km.

Coastline (Length)
36,289 km

INLAND RESOURCES

Swamplands
246,063 ha

Brackishwater Fishpond
253,854 ha

Other Inland Resources

250,000 ha
 Volume (MT)

1280917

2541965

1035213

Aquaculture Commercial Municipal

VOLUME OF PRODUCTION (2012)

MAJOR AQUACULTURE SPECIES IN THE PHILIPPINES, 2011

Others
Shrimp/Prawn

1. Seaweeds – 1,840,832.86 MT Tilapia

2. Milkfish – 372,580.80 MT
3. Tilapia – 257,385.44 MT
Milkfish

4. Shrimp/Prawn – 50,158.55 MT
5. Others – 87,162.19 MT
Seaweeds
POPULAR SPECIES IN PHILIPPINES – FISH
Species Culture Environment Culture Type

Tilapia Freshwater, Brackish Water, Cages, Pens, Ponds,

Marine Tanks
Carp (common) Freshwater Ponds, Pens, Cages
Carp (Big Head) Freshwater Pond, Cages
Freshwater Ornamental Freshwater Tanks, Water
Fish Receptacles
Catfish (African) Freshwater Tanks, Ponds
Grouper (Lapu-Lapu) Marine, Brackish Water Cages, Pens, Ponds
Milkfish Freshwater, Brackish Water, Cages, Pens, Ponds
Marine
POPULAR SPECIES IN PHILIPPINES – SHELLS AND CRUSTCEANS
Species Culture Environment Culture Type
Giant Freshwater Prawn Freshwater Ponds, Tanks
Tiger Prawn Brackish Water Ponds
White Shrimp Freshwater, Brackish Water, Ponds, Cages, Pens
Marine

Oyster Marine Stakes, Lines, Rafts

Mussel Marine Stakes, Lines, Rafts
POPULAR SPECIES IN PHILIPPINES – AQUATIC PLANTS
Species Culture Environment Culture Type

Seaweeds Marine Floating Lines, Stakes

Mud Crab Brackish Water Ponds, Cages, Pens

IN GLOBAL CONTEXT:

 Ranked 5th in fish production. The 5.16 million MT production of fish, crustaceans,
mollusks, and aquatic plants (including seaweeds). constitutes 3.06% of the total world
production of 168.4 million metric tons (FAO website).
 Ranked 10th in aquaculture production of fish, crustaceans and mollusks contributing 1.24%
share to the total global aquaculture production of 59.87 million MT. The country’s
aquaculture production amounted to over 1.58 billion dollars (FAO website).
 Top 3 largest producer of aquatic plants (including seaweeds) having produced a total of 1.80
million metric tons or nearly 9.48% of the total world production of 19.01 million metric tons
(FAO website).