Philippine Mariculture Parks

ESTABLISHMENT/MAINTENANCE OF MARICULTURE PARKS

Kaputian, Island Garden City of Samal:
	Technical assistances were provided to existing and potential interested locators. New business permit applications of private locators were processed, namely: Coral Aquaventure, Aqua Silver, Davao Mariculture Specialist and Monteverde Aquaventure.
	There are ten (10) locators including the BFAR and the four (4) small scale FRMP projects: Aldave and Company; BFAR XI cage; Jorona Aquatic Trading International; Coral Aquaventure; Monteverde Aquaventure; true Ocean Enterprises; Leydao Fisherfolk cooperative; Panaghiusang Gagamayng Managat Cooperative (PAGAMACO); Adecor Fisherfolk Cooperative and San Isidro Fisherfolk Cooperative. Total production already reached 81 MT excluding the small scale locators with 298 jobs generated.
	Other activities included the construction of one unit floating house, repair and maintenance of assigned boats in the mariculture park, fabrication of steel anchors used to re-enforce existing moorings, repairs and maintenance of existing mooring lines and buoys and the repair of the BFAR demo cages.
	Support to Coral Aquaventure included the provision of 80 pieces GI pipes for construction of fish cages, 48 units drums and fabrication of 84 units mooring blocks.
	Participated to the "Visit Philippines 2003" at Intramuros, Manila. The Mariculture Park Project was showcased by BFAR Region XI wherein 495 kilos of silver bangus were harvested and processed for product promotion during the exhibit. Investment forum was also conducted during the launching.
	The impact of the park is evident with the establishment of 31 cages benefiting 62 fisherfolk families located in barangays Lidao, Kidapong and Tambang. These fisherfolk are collecting fries and producing fingerlings of siganid for culturing inside the park by the locator, the effect is remarkable that it has been replicated in most coastal areas within the Region XI.
	Construction of floating house and twenty (20) demo cages for high value species were finished and installed in the site. There were eighteen (18) mooring blocks to support the expansion of Jorona Aquatic Resources and International Trading Corporation. These locators stocked four units new fish cages (2 units 10x10 and 2 units 18x18). A mini processing plant was inaugurated to process bangus being produced at the Mariculture Park.
	240 pieces live pompano were shipped to Manila by the Coral Aquaventure.
	380 jobs were generated.

Palauig-Masinloc, Zambales
	The Executive Management Committee is already in place for the mariculture park and regular meetings were conducted.
	Among the activities conducted for the year were the completion of technical survey of the area and proposal; socio-economic survey of the fishing communities to determine and assess the project's acceptability to the people in the area; fabrication of anchors and main and secondary buoys; and construction of anchors.
	QUEDANCOR has approved the loan application of 10 fisherfolk organizations in Masinloc and Palauig. The money will be used in putting up 10 unit fish cages located inside the Park. QUEDANCOR has recommended the revision of the proposals to reflect the increase of prices in the cost of inputs and materials.
	The final copy of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been submitted for review to the EMB-DENR Central Office with all deficiencies being complied with. An inventory of existing fish cage units was made on March 30, 2004 together with current water quality assessment on the proposed site.

The Mariculture zone project located at Sto. Tomas Cove, Sto. Tomas, La Union has already three (3) investors in place. Two (2) investors have already constructed and set their cages for stocking.

Maintained the 10-hectare mariculture zone at Barangay Malajog, Calbayog City, Samar that was launched/inaugurated on March 20, 2003.

BFAR Scholarship Program

The BFAR Fisheries Scholarship Program (FSP)

The BFAR Fisheries Scholarship Program is offering undergraduate scholarships to deserving students (Fisheries Scholarship Progam) and also to children of small-scale fisherfolk (Fisherfolk Children Educational Grant) who are interested to pursue a four-year BS Fisheries course. The scholarship program provides FIVE slots per region. Interested applicants should meet the following qualifications:

For High School Students:

	High school student of the current year
	Not more than 20 years old
	Belongs to the TOP TEN of his / her graduating class (not upper 10%), duly certified by the school head / principal

For High School Graduates:

	Not more than 20 years old at the time of the examination
	Has not earned any units in college
	Belongs to the TOP TEN of his / her graduating class (not upper 10%), duly certified by the school head / principal

For Children of Fisherforlk:

	High school graduate who is a son / daughter of a bonafide small-scale fisherfolk
	Not more than 20 years old
	Not presently enrolled in any course and general weighted average (GWA) should not be lower than 80 or its equivalent.
	Family's annual gross income of not more than P 25,000.00
	Parents must be a member of a fishing association / cooperative duly attested by the chairman and secretary of the association.
	Must be a resident of the municipality for at least four (4) years prior to availing the scholarship as attested by the school records and certification from the Barangay Chairman / Municipal Mayor.

A scholar under the FSP program shall be entitled to the following:

	Free matriculation and other fees
	Monthly stipend - P 2,500.00.
	Semestral book allowance - P 2,000.00
	Thesis support - P 5,000.00
	Graduation support - P 500.00

A scholar under the FCEG program shall be entitled to the following:

	Free matriculation and other fees
	Monthly stipend - P 2,500.00.
	Semestral book allowance - P 2,000.00
	Thesis support - P 3,000.00
	Graduation support - P 500.00

Interested applicants may download the regular scholarship or fisherfolk scholarship application form or obtain hard copies which are available at BFAR Central Office or at BFAR Regional Offices.

For more details regarding the scholarship program, you may visit or contact Augusto S. Regio or Renato L. Gutierrez of the scholarship committee at:

The Scholarship Committee Secretariat
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
2/F PCA Annex Bldg., Commonwealth Ave.,
Diliman, Quezon City 1100, Philippines
Tel. No. +63(2) 929.3118
Fax No. +63(2) 929.7018
E-mail: rgutierrez@bfar.da.gov.ph; aregio@bfar.da.gov.ph; hrelayson@bfar.da.gov.ph

Scolarship Application Forms (available)

to all interested students who want to take the BFAR scholarship examination, kindly check this website
http://www.bfar.da.gov.ph/download.htm
for you to be able to download scholarship application forms for regular scholars and fisherfolk scholars..

be a part of the BFAR circle of scholars...

Thank you and Godbless

Code of Practice for Aquaculture (Philippines)

CHAPTER II

UTILIZATION, MANAGEMENT, DEVELOPMENT, CONSERVATION
AND ALLOCATION SYSTEM OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES

ARTICLE III

AQUACULTURE

	Section 45. Disposition of the Public Lands for Fishery Purposes.
		Public lands such as tidal swamps, mangroves, marshes, foreshore lands and ponds suitable for fishery operations shall not be disposed or alienated. Upon effectivity of this Code, FLA may be issued for public lands that may be declared available for fishpond development primarily to qualified fisherfolk cooperatives/associations: Provided, however, That upon the expiration of existing FLAs the current lessees shall be given priority and be entitled to an extension of twenty-five (25) years in the utilization of their respective leased areas. Thereafter, such FLAs shall be granted to any Filipino citizen with preference, primarily to qualified fisherfolk cooperatives/associations as well as small and medium enterprises as defined under Republic Act No. 8289: Provided, further, That the Department shall declare as reservation, portions of available public lands certified as suitable for fishpond purposes for fish sanctuary, conservation, and ecological purposes: Provided, finally, That two (2) years after the approval of this Act, no fish pens or fish cages or fish traps shall be allowed in lakes.
	Section 46. Lease of Fishponds.
		Fishpond leased to qualified persons and fisherfolk organizations/cooperatives shall be subject to the following conditions: a. Areas leased for fishpond purposes shall be no more than 50 hectares for individuals and 250 hectares for corporations or fisherfolk organizations; b. The lease shall be for a period of twenty-five (25) years and renewable for another twenty-five (25) years: Provided, That in case of the death of the lessee, his spouse and/or children, as his heirs, shall have preemptive rights to the unexpired term of his Fishpond Lease Agreement subject to the same terms and conditions provided herein provided that the said heirs are qualified; c. Lease rates for fishpond areas shall be determined by the Department: Provided, That all fees collected shall be remitted to the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute and other qualified research institutions to be used for aquaculture research development; d. The area leased shall be developed and producing on a commercial scale within three (3) years from the approval of the lease contract: Provided, however, That all areas not fully producing within five (5) years from the date of approval of the lease contract shall automatically revert to the public domain for reforestation; e. The fishpond shall not be subleased, in whole or in part, and failure to comply with this provision shall mean cancellation of FLA; f. The transfer or assignment of rights to FLA shall be allowed only upon prior written approval of the Department; g. The lessee shall undertake reforestation for river banks, bays, streams and seashore fronting the dike of his fishpond subject to the rules and regulations to be promulgated thereon; and h. The lessee shall provide facilities that will minimize environmental pollution, i.e., settling ponds, reservoirs, etc: Provided, That failure to comply with this provision shall mean cancellation of FLA.
	Section 47. Code of Practice for Aquaculture.
		The Department shall establish a code of practice for aquaculture that will outline general principles and guidelines for environmentally-sound design and operation to promote the sustainable development of the industry. Such Code shall be developed through a consultative process with the DENR, the fishworkers, FLA holders, fishpond owners, fisherfolk cooperatives, small-scale operators, research institutions and the academe, and other potential stakeholders. The Department may consult with specialized international organizations in the formulation of the code of practice.
	Section 48. Incentives and Disincentives for Sustainable Aquaculture Practices.
		The Department shall formulate incentives and disincentives, such as, but not limited to, effluent charges, user fees and negotiable permits, to encourage compliance with the environmental standards and to promote sustainable management practices.
	Section 49. Reversion of All Abandoned, Undeveloped or Underutilized Fishponds.
		The DENR, in coordination with the Department, LGUs, other concerned agencies and FARMCs shall determine which abandoned, undeveloped or underutilized fishponds covered by FLAs can be reverted to their original mangrove state and after having made such determination shall take all steps necessary to restore such areas in their original mangrove state.
	Section 50. Absentee Fishpond Lease Agreement Holders.
		Holders of fishpond lease agreements who have acquired citizenship in another country during the existence of the FLA shall have their lease automatically canceled and the improvements thereon to be forfeited in favor of the government and disposed of in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated thereon.
	Section 51. License to Operate Fish Pens, Fish Cages, Fish Traps and Other Structures for the Culture of Fish and Other Fishery Products.
		Fish pens, fish cages, fish traps and other structures for the culture of fish and other fishery products shall be constructed and shall operate only within established zones duly designated by LGUs in consultation with the FARMCs concerned consistent with national fisheries policies after the corresponding licenses thereof have been secured. The area to be utilized for this purpose for individual person shall be determined by the LGUs in consultation with the concerned FARMC: Provided, however, That not over ten percent (10%) of the suitable water surface area of all lakes and rivers shall be allotted for aquaculture purposes like fish pens, fish cages and fish traps; and the stocking density and feeding requirement which shall be controlled and determined by its carrying capacity: Provided, further, That fish pens and fish cages located outside municipal waters shall be constructed and operated only within fish pen and fish cage belts designated by the Department and after corresponding licenses therefore have been secured and the fees thereof paid.
	Section 52. Pearl Farm Leases.
		The foregoing provisions notwithstanding existing pearl farm leases shall be respected and allowed to operate under the terms thereof. New leases may be granted to qualified persons who possess the necessary capital and technology, by the LGUs having jurisdiction over the area.
	Section 53. Grant of Privileges for Operations of Fish Pens, Cages, Corrals/Traps and Similar Structures.
		No new concessions, licenses, permits, leases and similar privileges for the establishment or operation of fish pens, fish cages, fish corrals/traps and other similar structures in municipal areas shall be granted except to municipal fisherfolk and their organizations.
	Section 54. Insurance for Fishponds, Fish Cages and Fish Pens.
		Inland fishponds, fish cages and fish pens shall be covered under the insurance program of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation for losses caused by force majeure and fortuitous events.
	Section 55. Non-Obstruction to Navigation.
		Nothing in the foregoing sections shall be construed as permitting the lessee, licensee, or permittee to undertake any construction which will obstruct the free navigation in any stream, river, lakes, or bays flowing through or adjoining the fish pens, fish cages, fish traps and fishponds, or impede the flow of the tide to and from the area. Any construction made in violation hereof shall be removed upon the order of the Department in coordination with the other government agencies concerned at the expense of the lessee, licensee, or occupants thereof, whenever applicable. The Department shall within thirty (30) days after the effectivity of this Code formulate and implement rules and regulations for the immediate dismantling of existing obstruction to navigation.
	Section 56. Non-Obstruction to Defined Migration Paths.
		Nothing in the foregoing sections shall be construed as permitting the lessee, permittee, or licensee to undertake any construction which will obstruct any defined migration path or migratory fish species such as river mouths and estuaries within a distance determined by the concerned LGUs in consultation with and upon the recommendation of the FARMCs.
	Section 57. Registration of Fish Hatcheries and Private Fishponds, etc.
		All fish hatcheries, fish breeding facilities and private fishponds must be registered with the LGUs which shall prescribe minimum standards for such facilities in consultation with the Department: Provided, That the Department shall conduct a yearly inventory of all fishponds, fish pens and fish cages whether in private or public lands: Provided, further, That all fishpond, fish pen and fish cage operators shall annually report to the Department the type of species and volume of production in areas devoted to aquaculture.