Trends in the major aquaculture food fish production in the Philippines

Abstract

Predictability of food fish derived from the aquaculture sector is a pragmatic concern for the society at large. In this paper, the trend in aquaculture production is presented, with emphasis on the two major food fish species, milkfish and tilapia. Particular interest is on the assessment of observed over-all decline on the rate of output generation in the recent years and its major cause. Accordingly, the impacts on supplies and estimates on the needed catch-up growth rates for the milkfish and tilapia sub-sectors (excluding municipal inland fisheries) are explained. Adjustments currently being implemented by the milkfish and tilapia farming sub-sectors are discussed. Finally, selected prospects related to farming site expansion, emerging farmer-oriented information needs and quality of critical inputs are discussed. In the context of this important occasion, the International Workshop on the Promotion of Sustainable Aquaculture, Aquatic Animal Health and Resource Enhancement in Southeast Asia (SARSEA), interventions offered herein are deemed relevant to the greater Southeast Asian region as well.