It is true that the Philippines government has been helping Capiceños to further sustain its aquaculture and marine production, particularly through technical assistance and support. Sylvia dela Cruz, Provincial Agriculture chief, revealed that the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) has been in partnership with the provincial government of Capiz and the Capiz State University (CapSU) for the Collaborative Fisheries Development Project. This joint venture is perfectly in line with the government’s aim to reinvigorate the aquaculture and marine industry, particularly in addressing the current world market demand.
Capiz is popularly known as the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines,” and has been primarily producing milkfish (bangus), prawn, mud crab, oyster, mussel, seaweeds and grouper. The government has planned to boost the establishment of mariculture parks (MPs) throughout the country, which now number 31, to create more jobs and livelihood opportunities, particularly in areas such as Tawi-Tawi, the poorest province in the country.
Director Malcolm Sarmiento of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) opined that this highly-marketable and huge volume of cultured marine species would then attract buyers who will collect them in mariculture parks using the Strong Republic Nautical Highway en route to local and export markets.
The BFAR is envisioning a network of mariculture parks in the country to make it an ideal destination for cultured high-value fish and other marine species. Eric Piansay, the province’s Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) head, told that last year the production in Capiz was 7.79 percent high compared to 2006 on commercial fishing.
