Export of eels from the Philippines declined by 5.7 percent, to 5,142.7 metric tons (MT) in 2014 from 5,455.26 MT, according to figures from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar).
The Bfar data showed that the country’s outward shipments of live eels last year were valued at $34.87 million, lower than the $38.29 million worth of live eels exported in 2013. Major buyers of local live eels last year were Japan, South Korea and China.
Despite this, the Bfar expects demand for Philippine live eels to remain high and is encouraging fishermen to go into eel culture.
The Bfar, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), held the first-ever National Eel Forum on Tuesday in Quezon City.
“Eels, or igat as they are more known locally, have huge market potential in the global scene. This is an opportunity that entrepreneurs in the country must look into and take advantage of,” Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said in a statement.
The Bfar data showed that outward shipments of live eels in 2013 were nearly double than the 2,415.71 MT valued at $15.92 million recorded in 2012. The DA said this proves that there is huge demand for igat in other countries.
The Philippines is one of the few areas in the world where high-value species of eels such as Anguillids (true eels) and Monopterus (paddy eels) thrive—a reason that puts the country at an even better position of becoming a major producer of eel, Alcala said.
Most of the eel catch, however, were taken from the wild. This prompted the Bfar to promote eel culture in the country. Alcala said, however, that the Bfar will be promoting only “sound and sustainable” aquaculture and capture fishery practices.
During the forum, Bfar Director Asis G. Perez said participants also discussed the formulation of an Eel Commodity Road Map and updates on Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 242, series of 2012, which “reinstates the ban on the export of elvers or eel fry.”
“For the last three years, we have been seriously upholding FAO 242 in order to protect eel population from dropping further. We want to ensure that these elvers reach maturity in order to spawn and produce more eels,” he said.
Perez said the ban will encourage local eel culture industry, secure the local fishermen a lucrative livelihood and promote the protection of eel aquatic habitats.