The Dynamics of Philippine Aquaculture

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Despite the endless arguments of which is more indespensible or crucial for stakeholders and key players, the national and local government primarily leads in the development of a sustainable aquaculture industry in the country. One of the initiatives led by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources under the umbrella of the department of Agriculture, focuses on the replenishment of wild population mostly in rivers and swamps that directly opens towards the sea. Some local species of fish such as milkfish, tilapia and scad are freed into the wild. Releasing these common species of fish will be a good source of larvae and future broodstock. Other projects include the deployment of artificial reefs and jackstone barricade to protect the endangered species and allow them to propagate or reproduce. Also, the mangrove reforestation in various locations including the national marine parks and mariculture zones is conducted every year participated by students of different levels and government officials. Interestingly, private sectors get involved in many of these government projects but focuses on the rehabilitation of marine environment using a different approach that is through a macro and micro-biotechnology. Promising as it may, these technology runs through a series of comprehensive tests or alternative methods that can be adapted on a conservative or traditional aquaculture system to a modern and sophisticated facility of either offshore or inland. In 2012-2014, the country's fish catch ratio increased irregardless of the super typhoons and other natural calamities that hit the country. Fish, shells and other aquatic plants and animals became stable in their habitat doubling its ratio. This indication gave a higher fish yield. Likewise, ponds and other inland aquaculture techniques increased its production and market value due its good quality. The height of fish production was a good instrument to measure the rhythmic structure of Philippines aquaculture in many different aspect, in respect to its growing industry and dynamics. Conforming to these changes of upright production, local fish farmers demonstrate a close indistinguishable response to adapt and likewise invest in new equipement switching some of the earliest version of floating cages made from bamboo's and drums into a multi-float made of highdensity polyethylene cages. Bustled for more alternative ways, recirculating aquaculture system made it a point as one of the best land-based system though some farmers consider it a flamboyant. Different designs were fabricated from short to medium, confined and semi-confined setting, but the basic components and principles are all the same. It may be not a high-class model, but the impression is sensational for local farmers.