Training to boost aqua-marine industry held
Roxas City -- The season-long training to help boost the province's aqua marine production was recently concluded.
Provincial Agriculture chief Sylvia dela Cruz disclosed that the first phase of the collaborative fisheries development project of the provincial government of Capiz, the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) and the Capiz State University (CapSU) has already ended.
According to dela Cruz, some 30 participants from the private sector and local government units have finished the season-long training on brackish water aquaculture which started last April and ended on the third week of this month.
The training, she said, is in line with the government's aim to reinvigorate the aquaculture and marine industry, particularly in addressing the current world market demand.
Dela Cruz said that, as Capiz has been known as the Seafood Capital of the Philippines, collaborative efforts are strengthened especially in the adoption of new technologies to boost fisheries and aquaculture production.
Among the aqua marine products of the province are milk fish (bangus), prawn, mud crab, oyster, mussel, seaweeds and grouper, she said.
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap acknowledged SEAFDEC's significant contributions in transforming the Philippines into one of the world's top producers of shrimps, seaweeds, bangus and tilapia, among other aqua-marine products.
Yap said that the government is also continuing its efforts to sustain the development and modernization of the Philippine fishery and aquaculture industry.
(PIA/Jemin B. Guillermo)