THE government is setting aside P237.5 million to fund a program that aims to develop new mangrove areas, establish mangrove fish farms or “aquasilvi” and set up multispecies hatcheries in coastal communities.
The program was launched by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on October 27 in Pagbilao, Quezon. BFAR is an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture.
BFAR Director Asis Perez said the program involves three major components: the planting of 11 million propagules to 3,667 hectares of new mangrove areas; establishment of 1,000 aquasilvi techno-demo farms; and establishment of multispecies hatcheries in 62 municipalities.
“Under the mangrove development component, fishers will be tapped as volunteers. The government will buy propagules from fishers’ groups at P2 each, pay fishers P1.50 for each propagule planted, and another P2.50 when the propagule survives and develops,” said Perez in a statement.BFAR said aquasilvi, or raising fish in mangrove areas, is an environment-friendly and sustainable approach to increasing fish production without the need to cut down mangrove, as when constructing fishponds.
Under the aquasilvi program, participating fishers will plant mangrove trees and be trained on how to properly raise and produce high-value species such as lapu-lapu (grouper) in tandem with alimango (mudcrabs) and tilapia. Feed requirement will be minimal as tilapia will serve as the grouper’s food.
Perez said the government targets to plant 100 million mangrove propagules in the next three years, particularly in abandoned, underutilized and unproductive fishponds, as well as suitable coastal areas nationwide. New mangroves will then serve as potential aquasilvi fish farms for marginal fisherfolk and their families.
BFAR will also involve state universities and colleges (SUCs) that offer fishery courses as partners. Funds will be downloaded to SUCs through a memorandum of agreement that will be forged between the SUC and BFAR.
A multispecies hatchery, worth P1.2 million each, will also be established in each SUC. The facility will produce fingerlings that will be distributed to aquasilvi farmers and serve as a hands-on training venue for breeding fish and other aquatic organisms. Moreover, excess fingerlings will be dispersed in communal waters for stock enhancement.
To ensure the success of the program, it will be managed jointly by BFAR regional office, the SUC and the host local government.
Perez said mangrove reforestation is aimed at rehabilitating what is left of the country’s mangrove forest cover that had shrunk by more than 80 percent from its pristine state of half a billion hectares in the early 1900s.
“The more mangrove areas we rehabilitate and develop, the more fish and aquatic species we would nurture and produce, as mangroves serve as their spawning and nursery grounds,” said Perez.
Mangroves also serve as a first line of defense against typhoon surges and tsunamis. They are also good agri-tourism destinations.
Further, mangroves prevent soil erosion and remove carbon dioxide and other forms of carbon from the atmosphere to mitigate global warming.
