Major players of the flourishing aquaculture industry in Central Luzon are coming together for the first time to make the region the biggest player in the market.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has teamed up with the country’s leader in aqua feeds manufacturing, Tateh, to carve a bigger market niche for Region 3 aquaculture commodities, particularly tilapia, and generate awareness of the local industry’s competitive advantages.
"Some farmers grow aquaculture commodities like tilapia without knowing that a bigger market is out there, and most of them simultaneously produce tons and tons of these fishes which could be disadvantageous for them. We need a system," said BFAR Central Luzon Director Remedios Ongtangco.
BFAR Central Luzon and Tateh are collaborating with the Department of Agriculture — Agriculture Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS) and the office of 4th District and Pampanga Rep. Anna York Bondoc to mount the day-long First Seafood Market Link on October 21 at Clark Dine, Clark Field, Pam-panga, the Tilapia Capital of the country.
The event seeks to establish links between farmers and buyers and provide the much-needed direction and system in the fishery industry in the region.
Tilapia is one of three aquaculture species of which Central Luzon is the country’s number one producer, the others being milkfish (bangus) and giant tiger shrimp (sugpo). All three are being highlighted in the Seafood Market Link.
During the event, speakers representing different sectors will talk about the market situation in the region and give tips on how farmers can access and meet market standards. Organizers are hoping to gather 300 to 400 people to the event, including representatives from public and private markets, supermarkets, restaurants and food chains, processing and export companies, and employees associations.
To illustrate the culinary versatility of tilapia, Swiss-born Chef Chris Locher will prepare different dishes using the fish.
Director Ongtangco hoped that the event would dispel the perception that tilapia grown in Taal taste better than those raised in Region 3.
"That’s just perception. All tilapias taste the same," she explained.
Central Luzon is the country’s top producer of high value and food-fish species for the country. For the first half of this year, its aquaculture industry generated
P8.5 billion or 36 percent of the national figure of P23.8 billion. Director Ongtangco said the figure is expected to double by the end of the year.
Region 3 has contributed about 50 percent of the total tilapia production in the country for the last five years. Of all provinces that make up the region, the biggest tilapia producer is Pampanga. The five-year tilapia output showed steady increase: 22,483 metric tons in 1995, 29,725 MT in 2000, 46,111 MT in 2002 and 47,595 MT in 2004.
A total of 342 hectares composed of 148 tilapia fish-farmers and 12 tilapia, ulang polyculture cooperators were validated.
Back in the late 80s and early 90s, galunggong, then priced at
P20 a kilo, was the staple fish invoked by the Aquino government as the benchmark for economic stability.
Now, as the price of galunggong has reached the
P80 mark, tilapia has emerged as the new fish of choice for the masses.
"Tilapia has now replaced galunggong as the poor man’s fish," said Ongtangco.
At
P70 a kilo, it is easy to see why tilapia would become the darling of the economically challenged. It is easily cultured and supply can be controlled, unlike galunggong which is harvested from the sea.
After it was introduced to the country in the 70s, tilapia has taken the country’s aquaculture industry by storm. Low in cholesterol and fat, its white meat is considered a health food and chefs love its firm flesh.
Ongtangco said conversion of agricultural lands into fishponds, the availability of easy-to-adopt and viable technology are among the reasons for tilapias impressive performance. To equip the farmers with the technical know-how on tilapia growing, BFAR has continuously provided trainings and technical assistance to the farmers, she said.
