SIASI, Sulu – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in coordination with the local gov-ernment here will launch next week the first mariculture farm in Sulu as part of the national government commitment to help the people in remote areas alleviate their poor living condition.

BFAR Mariculture Specialist Perfector I Orbita said an initial amount of P2.5-million have been infused for the establishment of the farm at Tara island in this town covering an estimated sea area of 300 hectares.

Of the total area, 50 hectares will be used for seaweed nursery, 150 hectares for sea ranching, 70 hectares for pearl oyster culture and 30 hectares for fish cage, the BFAR mariculture specialist said.

Orbita said the farm consists of 32 fish cages for high valued fish and 50 concrete blocks for mooring sites.

The procurement of some 10,000 fingerlings of high valued fish and its feed requirements will be supplied by the local traders and fisher folk.

The LGU here also constructed a 10 square-meter catwalk and an 80-square meter platform for the launching of the mariculture park.

After the launching ceremony catwalk will be converted into five fish cages and the platform to a multi-purpose floating house.

Orbita said BFAR is developing mariculture parks nationwide to promote the propagation of high-value fish species like groupers, red snappers and others, particularly sea cucumber, sea urchin and seaweeds.

This will enhance the competitive advantage of the country’s fishery sector globally as well as increase the overall sustainability and productivity of fish farming communities, he said.

The establishment of a mariculture park is in partnership with the local government units which identify the area. The LGU said the mariculture park project was approved in a resolution by the local legislative body.

A local Executive Management Council was set up composed of representatives from the LGUs, BFAR, and members of the fishing community which host the park.

A mariculture park is an area in the sea which has a communal storm-resistant mooring system and boundary markers. It is subdivided into individual “farm plots” for fish cage operation, seaweed farming and other marine aquaculture activities.