AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. assured the Department of Agriculture is ready to extend assistance to fishers from production to post-harvest to marketing to ensure the pampano culture succeeds.

Laurel made the assurance during his visit at the Santeh Feeds Corp.’s Silaguin Bay Fish Farm in San Antonio, Zambales, a private firm which is helping to increase production of pampano.

The Silaguin Bay Fish Farm has 44 floating cages that could each yield around 3 to 4 tons of pampano.

He said the DA, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), will promote pompano production as part of the government’s push to expand mariculture parks and modernize the aquaculture industry.

Pampano is a delicious, high value aquaculture alternative to milkfish.

Government data showed that in 2022 local production of pampano (scientific name trichinous blochii), only reached 457 metric tons– less than 3 percent of total imports of 16,004 tons during the same year.

Laurel congratulated Santeh for the successful aquaculture project that dovetails with the government’s goal of expanding mariculture parks and promoting various fishery projects around the country.

In the company’s floating sea cages, thousands of imported fry of short-finned pampano are being raised to help reduce fish imports, provide healthier protein source for consumers and possibly open export opportunities.

It takes around 9 months to culture pompano, with fish of up to 500 grams destined to the local market while larger ones grow up to 800 grams, the ideal size for export.

Laurel disclosed that the BFAR could assist in locally breeding the short-finned variety by helping set up specialized facilities and equipment.

He said that increasing fish production through aquaculture is part of the DA’s effort to modernize agriculture, boost food production and ensure food security.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Cory Martinez