Aquaculture production up in Davao Region

The Davao Region ranked first in the country's aquaculture production hitting a growth rate of 19 percent last year with a record on the volume of production of about 67,000 metric tons last year as against the 55,000 MT in 2006

The growth was attributed to more fish cages established in the different parts of the region where the Island Garden City of Samal has 16 units and Panabo City, 56.

The 19 percent growth rate is much higher than the average figure in other areas of the country which was between 10 percent to 14 percent said an official of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources saying that fish cages will be a continuing project this year where 8 units will be established in Pantukan, Compostela Valley.

Cost per cage is about P350,000 and after five months of operation the operator could get 19 percent ROI (return of investment).

The yield in aquaculture production contributed some 35 percent to the country's total production of the fishery sector.

However efforts must still focus on running after violators of the Fisheries Code of the country. The government had imposed strict implementation of the code and that BFAR is running after violators.

With the concerted efforts carried out by multi sectoral groups illegal activities were considerably reduced.

There are some however who still engage in illegal fishing and these violators must be given a dose of their acts against environmental protection but I think with the consistent reminders of sectoral groups and non government organizations that engaged in environmental protection folks in coastal barangays tend to become more vigilant and bond themselves to protect the waters near them which is also their source of livelihood.

But what the people must do by heart is how and where to throw their garbage. By now the public is expected of their share in protecting and preserving the environment including the sea and waters for the sake of the aquamarine resources. Garbage not disposed properly find its way to the seas and the other municipal waters posing danger to the habitat of our marine resources.