Palawan fishery sector set to enhance aquaculture in 2012

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, January 4 (PIA) -- The fishery division of the provincial government will enhance its aquaculture program, particularly on seaweeds production, to generate more income for local cultivators and fishermen this 2012.

Dr. Romeo Cabungcal, provincial fishery officer, said the division is working on the long-term sustainability as well as economic prosperity of the stakeholders in the aquaculture sector, especially seaweeds producers.

He said additional seaweeds nurseries will be established to provide quality propagules to farmers engaged in seaweeds production. Seaweeds nurseries have been set up in the towns of Quezon, San Vicente, Dumaran, Magsaysay and Coron.

Trainings for farmers and fisherfolks from selected areas in the province will be conducted to enhance their knowledge and skills on aquaculture project development.

The establishment of additional marine protected areas (MPAs) was to complement the aquaculture development and to continue to support of the existing MPAs in Narra, Roxas, Coron and Culion.

Palawan is the number one producer of seaweeds in the country with an estimated 86,011 metric tons produced in the second quarter of 2011 employing about 10,000 farmers. (DOS/lbr/vsm/PIA-Palawan)

by Vicky S. Mendoza