Philippines Targets Higher Ornamental Fish Export
PILA, Laguna, Sept 26 Asia Pulse - The Philippines is aiming to supply 20 per cent of total ornamental fish which Asia exports to foreign markets.
This is through the revenue and employment-generating Ornamental Fish Development Project of the Department of Agriculture (DA) attached agency the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Under the project called 'Isdang Kikay' launched here on Sunday, government and private stakeholders will share resources, facilities and technologies in growing export-quality ornamental fish from pure parent stocks.
"We aim to be Asia's second or third top ornamental fish producer," DA Secretary Domingo Panganiban said during the launching of the project.
Observers consider the project's launching timely as value of world export for such produce soared from US$38.9 million in 1983 to US$186.4 million in 2003.
Authorities are optimistic hiking to 20 per cent the country's current 3.8 per cent share of total Asian ornamental fish exports will help boost government's revenues from fisheries.
In 2003, BFAR said the country exported a total US$6.7 million worth of this produce.
The agency is expecting a rise in revenues by this decade's end to approximately US$14 million representing 20 per cent of Asia's estimated US$70 million worth of ornamental fish trade.
"We also expect this development to generate about 35,000 jobs nationwide," said BFAR Director Malcolm Sarmiento, who is credited with initiating development of the ornamental fish industry in southern Luzon.
He said the industry is "very promising" since the Philippines has learning and research institutions, policies as well as freshwater and marine water bodies needed in hiking ornamental fish production.
"Eighty-five per cent of ornamental fish species are from freshwater sources and 90 per cent of this number can be cultured," he noted.
Panganiban is urging stronger links between public and private stakeholders to help boost performance of ornamental fish production.
He noted government aims to transform this backyard activity to a well-established industry which can account for more such produce from Asia where 50 per cent of the world's ornamental fish supply originate.
"We can only realize our goal if both camps continue helping one another," he said.
The DA chief led authorities in lauding Bioresearch, the country's biggest private ornamental fish producer, for agreeing to help propagate top-quality parent fish stocks for dispersal to interested growers.
The company, DA-BFAR, government financing institution Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee Corporation (Quedancor) are teaming up for the project's first venture in Pila town where water was found to be ideal for growing such fish.
DA acting undersecretary for fisheries and livestock Salvador Salacup said the department will actively promote in the local and foreign markets Philippine-produced ornamental fish.
"There's a big market for this produce so we'll also help stakeholders access Quedancor's credit facilitites," he continued.
Panganiban, other authorities and guests also toured the project site where they inspected backyard aquaria models for live-bearing and egg-laying fish species as well as separate discus and angelfish production models.
BFAR Region 4 Executive Director Dennis Araullo, Laguna Governor Teresita Lazaro, Laguna mayors Wilfredo Quiat and Dwight Campilan of Pila and Victoria towns, respectively, representatives of state colleges and universities in laguna, Rizal, Cavite and Batangas, other local officials of Southern Tagalog and different private sector guests were among those who graced the launching.
(PNA) s
