Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

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  The Philippine aquaculture industry 

  Camacho, Arsenio S.; Macalincag-Lagua, Natividad (Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, 1988)

  The aquaculture sector of the Philippine fishing industry registered the highest growth rate of 12.5% in 1977-1986. The contribution of aquaculture to the total fish production was equivalent to 24% in 1986 compared to only 85 in the early 1970's. In terms of quantity, the mariculture subsector registered the highest growth rate of 10.2% in 1982-1986, whereas in terms of value the brackishwater fishpond subsector showed the highest growth rate of 33%. Meanwhile, freshwater aquaculture production exhibited a negative growth rate due to reduction of activities in Laguna de Bay and the slow expansion in hectarage of the commercial freshwater fishponds. Research by several agencies concentrated heavily on the culture of milkfish (Chanos chanos), tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Chinese carps (Aristichthys nobilis and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon), and sea bass (Lates calcarifer). Innovations in seaweed, oyster, and mussel farming are also discussed. Research directions are presented to assure an ecologically sustainable growth in aquaculture with emphasis on countryside development.
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  Competitive and comparative advantages of brackishwater aquaculture of tiger shrimp, mud crab, and milkfish in the Philippines in 1985-1995 

  Gonzales, Leonardo A.; Elca, C. D.; Gonzales, V. A.; Alviola IV, Pedro A.; Paraguas, F. J.; Olalo, C. (Bureau of Agricultural Research, Department of Agriculture, 2007)

  The brackishwater aquaculture sector contributes considerably to the growth of the fisheries sector. Tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon, mud crab Scylla serrata, and milkfish Chanos chanos, in particular are efficient users of domestic resources and earners of foreign exchange. These three commodity sectors have not been fully developed because of inadequate policies in research, technology generation, and extension, and in public investment and support services in production, marketing, and post-harvest processing. Our analysis used the domestic resource cost approach. The average resource cost ratios for the Philippines were 0.44 for tiger shrimp, 0.66 for mud crab, and 0.35 for milkfish. If the peso overvaluation is corrected, the comparative advantage can be dramatically enhanced with respective resource cost ratios of 0.36 and 0.55, and 0.28. Given the current international market and production technologies for these commodities, competitive and comparative advantage can be sustained above the breakeven border price per kilogram of US$6–7 for tiger shrimp, US$5–6 for mud crab, and about US$1 for milkfish. The actual border prices per kilogram during the past five years have been higher at US$12.34 for tiger shrimp, US$8.39 for mud crab, and US$2.39 for milkfish. At current domestic costs and border prices of the these commodities, the advantage in exports may be sustained at yields per hectare greater than about 2 mt tiger shrimp, 100 kg mud crabs, and 500 kg milkfish. To enhance the efficiency of production of these commodities, the following areas of intervention are needed:

  • Technology improvements in seed production from the hatchery of tiger shrimp, mud crab, and milkfish
  • Research and technologies for diagnosis, prevention, and control of diseases of tiger shrimp (e.g. luminous bacteria)
  • Training in farm management to enhance the skills of small-scale pond operators
  • Public investments in infrastructures and support services including credit access to enhance efficient flow of goods and services from the farm to strategic market outlets
  • Market development to ensure sustainable outlets for brackishwater pond production
  • Reforms in trade and exchange rate policies to enhance global competitiveness
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  Development of environment-friendly aquaculture technologies and practices 

  de los Reyes Jr., Aurelio Alfonso (Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, 2002)

  The significant role of aquaculture in providing food security has been recognized, not only through its contribution to food supply, but also through the promotion of economic and social well-being. Aquaculture is also considered as a relatively recent and underdeveloped sector as compared to agriculture and animal husbandry, and there is a huge, unfulfilled potential in many countries, particularly in the region. The recently concluded ASEAN-SEAFDEC Conference “Fish for the People” highlighted the importance of sustainable fisheries for regional food security, and the need for comprehensive and cooperative efforts, resolutions and plan of actions among all stakeholders. With the projected shortfall in the supply of fish and fishery products to meet the demands of an ever-increasing population, aquaculture is looked upon as a sustainable source of renewable food resources. One of the main programs of the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department (AQD) is geared towards the development of sustainable aquaculture that is technically feasible, economically viable, environment-friendly, and socially equitable. An important subprogram is the development of environment-friendly aquaculture technologies and practices. The objectives of the subprogram are: 1) to develop and promote efficient aquaculture systems and designs for maximum sustainable productivity; 2) to devise and determine appropriate design, equipment, and operation and management practices that optimize utilization of resources and inputs, minimize adverse impacts on the environment, and sustain biological/ecological diversity; 3) to demonstrate, verify, adopt, refine, and promote proven aquaculture technologies and practices; and 4) to advance the social, economic, cultural, and policy importance of the aquaculture sector at the local, national, and regional level. At present, the main research areas are in nutrient dynamics of aquaculture systems, feed and waste management, development of culture systems, including bioremediation strategies, conservation and sustainable utilization of resources for aquaculture, and socio-economic and policy issues in aquaculture. In addition, verification and refinement of developed aquaculture technologies, in support of re search and training activities, are conducted to explore the potential of aquaculture technologies for commercial adoption and demonstrate appropriate technologies and responsible aquaculture practices. The paper presents an overview of current research activities by the author, and with involvement of other researchers at SEAFDEC AQD, including future plans under this and related programs.