The Bureau of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the Davao Region has recorded a 9.5%
increase in fish catch in the Davao Gulf.
“We noted an
increase of 9.5 percent in fish catch following the strict implementation of
the closed season and other programs of BFAR last year,” BFAR-Davao Director
Fatma Idris said.
Idris said the growth in the fisheries
production resulted to a 22 percent fish sufficiency in 2015. This confirms
that the region is still one of the top contributors in the country’s fisheries
production.
"This
implies that the production can suffice the 22 percent of the fish requirement
in the region given the number of population," Idris said.
The Bureau has
recorded a total fish production of 251,342 metric tons from 2012 to 2015 based
on the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) data.
There was however
a 22.5 percent decrease in the production from 2013 to 2014 due to the series
of tropical storms, but the production bounced back from 2014-2015.
Idris said the
increase can be attributed to the ongoing implementation of the Closed Season
for the Conservation of Small Pelagic Fishes at Davao Gulf and increase in
aquaculture and marine municipal sub-sectors.
The implementation
of the Targeted Actions to Reduce Poverty and Generate Economic Transformation
(Target) Program in the Fisheries Sector has also helped increase fish
production in the region.
The five
mariculture parks in Panabo City and Samal in Davao del Norte, Pantukan town,
Compostela Valley, Mati City in Davao Oriental, and Malita in Davao Occidental
had a major share in the increased fish production.
From 2012 to
2015, a total of 20,099 metric tons of bangus and other high value species were
produced from the five mariculture parks, including mariculture zones in
Malalag, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Maria towns and Digos City in Davao del Sur.
PSA data shows
that the total production of bangus was at
90,922 metric tons from 2012 to 2015, while seaweeds had a total production of
18,076 metric tons in the same period.
"The
remarkable production has provided job employment opportunities and livelihood
in Davao region," Idris said.
