The Philippines plans to build a PHP30 million ($598,000) multi-species hatchery in Lingao City, Albay to spur fish production and contribute to Albay province’s aquaculture industry. The facility, to be built in Barangay Maonon, will be a partnership between the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 5 (Bicol) and the city government of Ligao.
The hatchery will be built on half-hectare (5,000 m2) land donated by the city government. Construction will start in August and is expected to be completed in December of this year. It will raise various species, such as milkfish, mangrove crabs, tilapia and giant tiger shrimp. The hatchery would not only cater to the needs of aquaculture farms in Albay but also other provinces such as Bicol and the entire Luzon.
Milkfish fry demand in Ligao is 25 million fingerlings, according to BFAR statistics. “The hatchery of milkfish in Ligao is assumed to produce 4.8 million, which represents 19% of the total demand for milkfish in Albay,” Albay 3rd District Rep., Fernando Cabredo, said. Bicol's fry requirements for the major marine species are 47.9 million fingerlings of tilapia, 184 million milkfish fry, 36.3 million mangrove crablets and 69.5 million giant tiger shrimp.
“This is considered to be a big leap in the aquaculture industry and open opportunities for economic growth,” Cabredo said.
