AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee has filed a bill seeking to establish a National Mariculture Program (NMP) in a bid to boost the country’s food security.
“Our country is one of the world’s top producers of fish and aquatic plants. Given our distinct advantage in natural resources we must exert greater effort to ensure that we can use these amid the dangers of the climate crisis and increasing food insecurity,” Lee said.
Mariculture refers to the farming of aquatic plants and animals through sea cages, long lines, and other culture structures in marine and coastal areas.
He added that mariculture could provide a renewable and scalable source of food for Filipino families, as well as livelihood for those living in fishing communities.
House Bill No. 5531 or the National Mariculture Program bill pushes for the expansion of the NMP, which the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources currently implements, throughout the Philippines in areas that are identified as conducive for mariculture.
Mariculture refers to the farming of aquatic plants and animals through sea cages, long lines, and other culture structures in marine and coastal areas.
High-value species, such as bangus, siganid, seaweeds, oysters, mussels, red snappers, and groupers, among others, can be grown through this method.
If passed, the government would be mandated to adopt the ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management to ensure that the marine environment remains conducive to sustainable fisheries, species management, and mariculture investment. The government would also be tasked with minimizing the adverse effects of mariculture in view of the multiple uses of marine and coastal areas.
The government would also be required to improve the viability of mariculture by developing the technical skills of fishermen throughout the production, harvesting, processing, storage, and transport stages in the value chain; providing appropriate infrastructure and equipment for post-harvest technology; and ensuring easy access to finance.
High-value species, such as bangus, siganid, seaweeds, oysters, mussels, red snappers, and groupers, among others, can be grown through this method.
Lee emphasized the need for the government to continue to find ways to expand its food production capabilities in the face of its increasing vulnerability to climate change.
“We are among the most vulnerable countries in the world, thus our food security is at serious risk. Kung hindi natin paiigtingin ang paghahanap ng mga solusyon para mapabuti ang ating food production, mananaig ang kagutuman sa bansa,” the lawmaker said.
“Magandang solusyon ang mariculture sa layuning ito. Kung madi-develop nang maayos, winner tayo lahat,” he added.
The World Risk Report 2022 by Germany-based Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft and the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict at Ruhr University Bochum (IFHV) recently identified the Philippines as the world’s most disaster-prone country due to its high-risk, exposure, and vulnerability to disasters and calamities.
