Aquaculture and Fisheries in the Philippines

Importance of Aquaculture Systems

• Aquaculture contributes to enhancing food security by providing a consistent supply of fish and seafood products.
• Learning outcomes include discussing the challenge of feeding a growing global population with limited wild fish stocks.
• Aquaculture helps alleviate pressure on wild fish populations by providing an alternative source of seafood.

Philippine Fisheries

• The Philippines is a significant contributor to global fish production and consistently ranks among the top fish-producing countries worldwide.
• The total area devoted to aquaculture and other fishery activities is 2,709,606.3 hectares.
• The Philippines is the 11th largest seafood producer in the world.
• The total territorial water area is 2,200,000 sq. km.

Philippine Fisheries Subsectors

• Aquaculture involves cultivation and farming of aquatic plants and animals in inland, coastal, and marine areas.
• Municipal fisheries (small-scale) involve capture operations in inland and coastal areas with or without the use of a vessel not exceeding 3 gross tons.
• Commercial fisheries are done in offshore waters using vessels of at least 3 gross tons.
• Municipal and commercial fisheries are distinguished by fishing location and vessel capacity.

Fisheries Data

• The total volume of fisheries production in 2024 was 4.05 million metric tons.
• Aquaculture contributed 2.22 million metric tons to this production, representing 54.9% of the total.
• Marine municipal fisheries produced 802.77 thousand metric tons, accounting for 19.8% of total fisheries production.
• Inland municipal fisheries produced 166.17 thousand metric tons, or 4.1% of the total.
• Commercial fisheries production reached 857.33 thousand metric tons, making up 21.2% of the total.
• The total production of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants(including seaweeds) is 4.11 million metric tons.

Major Cultured Species

• These include seaweeds, milkfish(bangus), tilapia, and shrimp.
• The Philippines boasts 1,065 seaweed species.
• Kappaphycus alvarezii/Kappaphycus striatum (cottonii) and Eucheuma denticulatum (spinosum) are predominantly utilized seaweed species.
• Approximately 200,000 families which is 400,000 individuals are engaged in seaweed farming.
• The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is the top producer of seaweed and Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, and Basilan are the main contributors to BARMM's seaweed production.
• Milkfish (Chanos chanos), also locally called Bangus, is the official national fish.
• Milkfish contributed 17.8% of aquaculture production in 2022 when 387.96 thousand metric tons were produced.
• Tilapia is second most farmed species next to milkfish and Pampanga, specifically Minalin, is a major production center, with Central Luzon as the leading region.
• Shrimp/Prawn is the 4th most important species cultivated in the Philippines and it is among the major fishery commodities with high export value.

Aquaculture Addressing Global Challenges

• Food security and nutrition is achieved.
• Livelihoods and Employment is important.
• There is a reduced pressure on wild fisheries.
• Sustainable practices are common.
• Innovation and research is present.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Aquaculture

• SDGs are 17 goals and 169 targets set by the UN in 2015 to be achieved by 2030.
• Aquaculture development reduces poverty and provides employment opportunities.
• It avoids using animal feed from fish that people could eat.
• Consumption contributes to healthy diets.
• Education, research, and skills development are enhanced.
• Production provides employment for women.
• Aquaculture uses accessible water resources combined with activities like irrigation and navigation.
• Solar-powered aeration and water circulation are energy solutions.
• Infrastructure investments can promote aquaculture.
• Decent wages and livelihoods are provided to rural communities.
• Aquaculture can replace foods with high greenhouse gas emissions.
• Sustainable aquaculture produces diverse aquatic foods and generates employment within the limits of marine ecosystems.
• Integrated aquaculture can yield nutritious crops.
• Tax and export earnings strengthen state capacity.

Aquaponics-Hydroponics Technology in Aquaculture

• Soil-less culture grows crops without soil, using inert media.
• Hydroponics involves growing plants on a substrate or in water with bare roots.

Types of Hydroponics

• Nutrient Film Technique (NFT): Supplies plant roots with thin nutrient film, characterized by continuous flow of nutrient-rich water.
• Deep Water Culture (DWC): Plant roots are suspended in nutrient solution with direct air supply to roots via air stone or diffuser.
• Wick Hydroponics: A passive system that draws nutrient solution from a reservoir into the growing medium using a wick, with direct air supply to roots.
• Ebb and Flow: A drain system works by temporarily flooding the grow tray with nutrients.
• Drip Systems: Delivers nutrient solution through tubes to the plant base using drip emitters.
• Aeroponics: Integration of recirculating aquaculture and hydroponics with water from fish tank cycles through filters, plant beds, and back to fish.

Major Benefits of Aquaponic Food Production

• It is a sustainable and intensive food production system.
• It can be used on land which is nonarable.
• Higher control on production leading to lower losses.
• This is a labour saving process, therefore can include all genders and ages.
• Construction of base materials is widely available.

Major Drawbacks of Aquaponic Food Production

• The initial start up costs are expensive.
• You need knowledge of fish, bacteria and plant production.
• It is not recommended in places with cultured fish and you need to be careful with temperature.
• Energy can be demanding.
• You need to have reliable sources to electricity, fish seed and planting seeds.

Keeping Fish Healthy

• Most fish thrive in pH levels between 6-8.
• Ammonia and nitrites are very toxic to fish.
• Fish needs oxygen.
• Drastic temperature change can be negative for the fish.
• They are sensitive to light.

Keeping Fish Maintenance

• Feed fish 2-3 times a day.
• Fish eat 1.5-2% of their body weight per day.
• Provide food only what they can eat in 5-10 minutes.
• Observe water quality.
• Check fish behavior and appearance.

Media System Calculations

• Ideal grow bed volume to fish tank volume ratio is typically 2:1, but can be up to 3:1 or as low as 1:1.
• Ideal grow bed depth is 12".