THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region 3 aims to commercialize the fishery project at the Pantabangan Aquaculture Park in Nueva Ecija to contribute to the government’s food security goals for the country.
BFAR regional director Wilfredo Cruz said the agency harvested over 400 kilograms of tilapia from the aquaculture park which marks the culmination of the research phase of the project.
“Anticipated to amplify local fish production, the Pantabangan Aquaculture Park is poised to benefit not only the province, but the entire Central Luzon region,” he said.
In collaboration with the National Irrigation Administration, the Protected Area Management Board of the DENR-Bi diversity Management Bureau, and the local government unit of Pantabangan, the project aims to evaluate the growth performance of Nile Tilapia raised in the reservoir.
For the commercialization phase, BFAR intends to put more high density polyethylene (HDPE) fish cages in the reservoir for tilapia grow-out culture.
HDPE cages are flexible, strong, and durable compared to alternatives like bamboo and GI pipe.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 3 aims to commercialize the fishery project at the Pantabangan Aquaculture Park in Nueva Ecija to contribute to the government’s food security goals in the country.
Regional director Wilfredo Cruz said the agency harvested over 400 kilograms of tilapia from the aquaculture park which marks the culmination of the research phase of the project.
“Anticipated to amplify local fish production, the Pantabangan Aquaculture Park is poised to benefit not only the province but the entire Central Luzon region,” he said.
In collaboration with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of the DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau, and the local government unit of Pantabangan, the project aims to evaluate the growth performance of Nile Tilapia raised in the reservoir.
For the commercialization phase, BFAR intends to put more high density polyethylene (HDPE) fish cages in the reservoir for tilapia grow-out culture.
HDPE cages are flexible, strong, and durable compared to alternatives like bamboo and GI pipe.
Pantabangan Aquapark project representative Joseph Bitara said the while the research achieved the favorable size and quality of the tilapia, the Park itself is committed to ensure that the project is sustainably implemented.
The park, which was established by BFAR Region 3 in 2022, has 24 units of HDPE fish cages.
The Pantabangan Aquaculture Park is part of the BFAR’s fisheries programs to address food security by utilizing small water impounding projects (SWIPs) and other open water resources such as dams and reservoirs.
BFAR works hand-in-hand with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) In preserving the dam, which one of the country’s protected areas by virtue of the Republic Act No. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992.
Aside from monitoring and conducting necessary resource assessments, the government agencies are also at the helm of operations and development of the municipal Tilapia hatchery, conduct of technical and management training for fisherfolk beneficiaries and cage operators, as well as the development of an aquaculture training agenda.
Pantabangan Aquapark project representative Joseph Bitara said while the research achieved the favorable size and quality of the tilapia, the Park itself is committed to ensure that the project is sustainably implemented.
The park, by BFAR Region 3 in 2022, has 24 units
of HDPE fish cages.
The Pantabangan Aquaculture Park is part of the BFAR’s fisheries programs to address food security by utilizing small water impounding projects (SWIPs) and other open water resources such as dams and reservoirs.
BFAR works hand-in-hand with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) In preserving the dam, which one of the country’s protected areas by virtue of the Republic Act No. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992.
Aside from monitoring and conducting necessary resource assessments, the government agencies are also at the helm of operations and development of the municipal Tilapia hatchery, conduct of technical and management training for fisherfolk beneficiaries and cage
operators, as well as the development of an aquaculture training agenda.