Surigao City pushes for approval of P100-M mariculture park
By Susil D. Ragas
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Surigao City Mayor Pablo Yves L. Dumlao II, Vice Mayor Alfonso S. Casurra, and Congressman Robert Ace Barbers met with PFDA representatives to discuss the proposals. The officials also conducted site visits on the project’s possible locations.
As a gateway and drop point in Mindanao, Surigao City is blessed with rich marine life, and natural resources, as fishing is considered a primary economic stimulus. The initiative outlined a significant plan to improve Surigao City's mariculture park and fish landing port, with a strong emphasis on a state-of-the-art fish landing facility located at the PFDA Compound in Baybay Magallanes, Barangay Washington, near the existing fish landing area.
Dumlao further showed the framework for developing a mariculture park in Brgy. Nabago, which, if backed by substantial investment and sustainability goals, will highlight the city’s dedication to preserving its aquatic heritage and envisioning a future abundant with marine and aquatic resources.
Dumlao disclosed that potential investors, including the Frabelle Group of Companies, expressed interest in contributing to the development of both facilities and cages within the mariculture park.
By definition, a mariculture park is a fishing concept introduced in the country in 2004. It operates like an industrial park, where investors set up fish cages to breed high-value marine species like bangus, crustaceans, seaweeds, and oysters, among others.
Noteworthy, the country has 40 mariculture parks, and it ranks 11th in the world with 826.01 thousand metric tons (MT), or 1.01% share of the total global aquaculture production of 82.10 million MT, based on the 2020 census.
Bringing this proposal to reality will significantly contribute to food security and employment and leverage the Philippines as a competitive player in the international market. (RLE/SDR, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
