Discover mariculture

A reintegration program for Filipinos worldwide

RATIONALE:
For many years, the vast expense of the sea has remained an untapped frontier for food production by means of aquaculture. Yield from capture fisheries is now widely accepted to have reached a declining productivity. With unabated problems on over fishing, destructive fishing methods, pollution and depletion of marine habitats, municipal fisheries production will inevitably continue to rise. The destruction of important fish habitats such as mangrove, coral reefs and sea grass beds has contributed to the rapid depletion of fish resources.

Davao Gulf has been an important source of livelihood for its coastal populace and adjacent communities. The presence of more than 40 tributaries around the gulf created an ideal site for integrated mariculture development activities/endeavor. Barangay Balet situated in Babak District in the Island Garden City of Samal qualifies the criteria for such project.

Hence, this project proposal is made.

OBJECTIVES:
* To establish an Integrated Mariculture Development Project in Balet, Babak District, Island Garden City of Samal;

* To provide alternative livelihood for the dependents of Samal Island Filipino Overseas Workers Multi-Purpose Cooperative; Balet Fisherfolk Association and Balet Barangay Councilmen and its constituents;

* To promote mariculture as an alternative source for other marginalized and sustenance fisher folks in the area;

* To promote the culture of other high value species like grouper, snapper, lobsters, crabs using environment friendly activities;

* To integrate in the cage facility the establishment and maintenance of adjacent reef, which the fisher folks will utilize for a sustainable seasonal collection of marine aquarium or ornamental fishes;

* To provide the SIFOWDEMCO dependents/families, fisher folks and Balet Barangay Council members and its constituents with necessary management, feeds and feeding, disease prevention, and many others;

* To promote integrated Mariculture Development Project as part of the eco-tourism industry of the city with a floating seafood restaurant and a marine park for possible tourist attraction in the area;

* To augment the SIFOWDEMCO fisherfolks, and Barangay Council members/dependents real income.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND COMPONENTS:
1. FISH CAGE DEVELOPMENT
The technology of culturing milkfish, grouper, snapper will be demonstrated using environment friendly technologies. Net cages will be installed and floated with plastic drum. G.I. pipes will be used as frames so that the life span of the cage structures will last longer. Commercial pellets will be used for milkfish production while trash fish for grouper and snapper.

Two to three croppings are expected for this component.

2. FISH PEN DEVELOPMENT
Presently, lobster commands a higher price in the local and export market. A 2,500- square meter area will be enclosed with polyethylene nettings and stocked with 5,000 pieces juvenile lobster per cropping.  Trash fish will also be used in this component.

3. DEVELOPMENT OF CRAB FISHERY
For this component, there will be 2 sites to be established with an area of 4,000 sq. m\site. The area will be fenced with PVC screen in order that the crablets will not escape during high tide. This will be fed with trash fish and bivalves whichever is plenty in the area. Cropping period will last more or less 4-5 months.

4. DEVELOPMENT OF BANGUS FINGERLING PRODUCTION
A (one) 1 hectare brackish water fishpond will be fully developed and intensively stocked with bangus fry. This will supply the bangus fingerling requirements of the bangus fish cage component of this integrated mariculture development project.

5. TRAININGS AND SEMINARS RELATED TO THE INTEGRATED MARICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
To provide the SIFOWDEMCO dependents, fisher folks associations and their family members, and the barangay council of the area will undergo necessary trainings and skills in sustainable fish culture, especially in the field of stock management, feeds and feeding, disease prevention, and many others.

6. OTHER AMENITIES AND STRUCTURES
To complete the integrated mariculture development concept, there is a need to establish floating structures like floating restaurant, office building, with complete facilities, with warehouse and cold storage facilities. Service vehicle and water transportation must also be provided in order to ensure a smooth operation and timely delivery of fishery inputs like feeds, fingerlings and other supplies of the entire operation. Bunk houses will be provided for the employees and laborers.

Learn about the budget proposal of this mariculture project at the Island City of Samal in Davao. This is one featured investment opportunity for our fellow OFWs at ReintegrateOFW mailing list. Join our mailing list and let's discuss as we study our moves (past and present projects and investment opportunities spearheaded by OFWs) and understand the different markets in our country at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ReintegrateOFW/join

Oras na para paghandaan natin ang ating kinabukasan sa Pilipinas. Become an Overseas Filipino Investor!! It's time for us OFWs to assume the role. Tama na muna ang pagkakataon para sa mga higanteng multinational sa industriya. The Philippines is ours and we want and have to make it great. Atin na ang pagkakataong ito at napakarami pang puwedeng malaman at pag-aralan para sa pag-ahon ng ating Inang Bayan!

Let's do it, fellow OFWs! See you in Davao in December!! Only 50 slots are available...
For more information, please contact Tonette Binsol at mobile 090-9367-3872 or e-mail ka-tonyang@ezweb.ne.jp. *

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