Municipal Fisheries, Aquaculture Up In Q2

Fisheries production actually went up in the second quarter of 2008 compared to the same period last year as a result in part of the series of interventions carried out by the government to sustain the expansion of this primary growth driver in the agriculture sector.
The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), had implemented a series of initiatives, such as the dispersal of tilapia and carp fingerlings in rivers, lakes and other communal bodies of water; the distribution of water-based planting materials; rehabilitation of fish farms; and assistance to fish growers on proper farm management and other forms of technical assistance to boost productivity.
In a quarterly report to DA Secretary Arthur Yap, BFAR director Malcolm Sarmiento Jr. said municipal fisheries and aquaculture recorded output gains during the April-June period, expanding 3.98 percent and 2.63 percent respectively.
Municipal fisheries, which contributed about 31.48 percent to the total fisheries yield, produced 15,027 metric tons (MT) more this year compared to the same quarter last year, Sarmiento said.
Production in marine municipal fisheries went up by 3.34 percent or 11,381 MT while yields in inland municipal fisheries went up by 9.69 percent or 3,646 metric tons.
"The prevailing weather conditions during the quarter enabled municipal fishermen to increase their fishing activities," Sarmiento reported. "Also, the dispersal of tilapia and carp fingerlings in rivers, lakes and other communal bodies of water by the BFAR contributed to the growth of inland municipal fishery."
Aquaculture production, which made up 41.35 percent of total fisheries yields, increased by 13,206 MT during the second quarter compared to the same period last year. About 64.44 percent of the total production was seaweeds and 35.56 percent were finfishes and shellfishes.
Commercial fisheries, on the other hand, experienced a 2.73 percent decline in output owing to high fuel prices, which led to a decline in fishing activities, and weather disturbances like strong winds and typhoons, Sarmiento said. Fuel accounts for 60 percent to 70 percent of production costs in commercial fishing.
The agriculture sector grew at a high 4.7 percent in the year’s first semester as against 3.74 percent during the January-June period in 2007, largely driven by the strong performance of the crop subsector.
The fisheries subsector, which was the farm sector’s main growth driver in recent years, managed to grow by only 2.74 percent during the first semester as a result of reduced fishing brought about by the steep jump in oil prices. (DA Press Office) /MP