WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • DECEMBER 2014 11 The expansion of Philippine aquaculture is essential to addressing poverty and food insecurity in the midst of a seemingly irreversible decline in national capture fisheries. Concomitant with its rise, however, are compounding environmental problems caused by climate change, lackluster governance and irresponsible farming practices. It is equally important to ensure aquaculture sustainability so that fish demand from a rapidly growing population is continually met and that fish farmers’ socioeconomic well-being is secured. As such, programs have been developed that aim to enjoin the government and private sectors with fishing communities to realize this goal. Contribution of the Fishery Sector to the Philippine Economy The Philippines is a tropical, archipelagic country comprised of 7,107 islands located in Southeast Asia. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on the east, the Celebes Sea and Bornean waters on the south and the South China Sea on the west and north (Bautista 2009), it has a total territorial water area of 2,200,00 km2 while the total land area covers only about 300,000 km2. Its 17,460 km coastline spans marine areas that include coral reefs, seagrass and algal beds. In the interior of landmasses are freshwater and brackishwater A Fish Farmer’s Role in Sustainable Aquaculture: An Overview of Philippine Aquaculture Jonni Fay C. Teves and Janice A. Ragaza (CONTINUED ON PAGE 12) Milkfish culture in cages at SEAFDEC/AQD, Igang marine station, Guimaras, Philippines. Photo by J.A. Ragaza.
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