MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) will complete the construction of 21 multi-species hatcheries and aquaculture facilities in the first half of the year.
In a statement, BFAR said it has already completed the construction of nine legislated hatcheries under 22 Republic Acts passed during the 16th to 18th Congresses.
It said the remaining 21 hatcheries are under construction and are set to be completed in the first half.
BFAR has allocated P635 million for the construction of the 21 projects this year.
“The DA-BFAR’s Legislated Hatcheries Program aims to meet local requirements for aquaculture seed stocks, reduce dependence from imported fry, and ultimately augment the production of the Aquaculture sector,” BFAR said.
It said the program aims to increase the variety of cultivable species in the country, promote species diversification, and provide venue for fisheries extension services.
The first of the batch of the legislated hatcheries, particularly a multi-species marine hatchery located in Perez, Quezon, was inaugurated in December 2021.
“Immediately following this and before the year ended, the DA-BFAR completed the construction of mangrove crab seed banks, nurseries and grow-out production farms in seven other sites – Baras, Viga, Panganiban, Bagamanoc, San Andres, Caramoran and Pandan in the Province of Catanduanes – and a multi-species marine hatchery in Sultan Naga Dimaporo in Lanao del Norte,” the BFAR said.
Of the 21 projects now under construction, three are mangrove crab seed banks, nurseries and grow-out production farms in Catanduanes; nine are multi-species marine hatcheries in Quezon , Albay, Cebu, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur; two are multi-species freshwater hatcheries in Agusan del Norte and Lanao del Norte (with Research Center), and one multi-species marine nursery in Sultan Kudarat.
Aside from hatcheries and nurseries, BFAR said there are also seven Provincial Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Training, Development and Product Centers currently in construction in Eastern Visayas.
Among the partners in the implementation of the legislated hatcheries program is the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) which helped prepare the feasibility studies, provided assistance in identifying suitable sites, helped in designing the hatcheries, and lent their expertise in developing hatchery models at its Tigbauan Station.
Other partners include the DA-Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (DA-BAFE) and the Visayas State University, as they helped in capacitating DA-BFAR personnel in conducting the feasibility studies for the construction of the hatcheries.
“In the first two years of operation, the DA-BFAR will manage the hatcheries and aquaculture facilities while providing technical trainings to the local government units that will eventually take full responsibility upon its transfer,” the BFAR said.
It said the program is in line with the key strategies of the OneDA Reform Agenda, which seeks to modernize the agri-fisheries sector through infrastructure investments.
BFAR expressed its commitment to implement measures to achieve local fry sufficiency in the country through increased production for important species such as bangus or milkfish.
