Press Release Dept. of Agriculture
February 24,2011
Small marginal fishermen and indigenous Dumagats in Aurora will benefit from a P10-million fish cage livelihood project in Casiguran mariculture park, initiated by the Department of Agriculture (BFAR).
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala led the ceremonial stocking of bangus fingerlings, and turnover of the initial batch of fish cages to the beneficiaries composed of small fishermen and Dumagats, February 18, 2011.
A total of 32 fish cages will be installed by the DA-BFAR at the Casiguran mariculture park.
The fish cage features a new design, as devised by Secretary Alcala, where bangus and sea cucumber will be raised at the same time. Bangus will be raised on the top cage, while the sea cucumber will be at the bottom, where they will serve as ‘bio filters’ or eaters of surplus feed and wastes of bangus. The design is aptly called ‘Alcala fish cage model.’
Each fish cage is expected to produce at least four tons or 4,000 kilos every three months. At the current farmgate price of bangus in Casiguran of P90 per kilo, the fish cage beneficiaries will earn a gross income of P360,000.
“We want the small fishermen and the Dumagats to directly benefit from this fish cage livelihood project,” noted Sec. Alcala during the project launch at Casiguran pier. “We want to change and transform their lives for the better.”
“We will train them to stock and harvest bangus on a rotation basis, at least every two weeks, so they will earn a steady income year-round. We will assist them up to the marketing stage,” Sec. Alcala added.
For his part, BFAR Director Malcolm Sarmiento said they will also put up a mini ice plant with a three-ton capacity to provide the ice requirements of the harvested bangus during transport to markets in Aurora province and nearby provinces such as Quirino, Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya.
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