WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • MARCH 2015 49 ranks first in seaweed production, contributing 54 percent of the total seaweed production in the country. Seaweed production is dominated by the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), specifically Tawi-Tawi, where more than 300,000 t were harvested in 2012 (Fig. 2). Eucheuma and Kappaphycus are cultured by the floating longline method. Most seedlings used are vegetative cuttings (100-300 g) that are cultured for 45-60 days. Mainly women are involved in seaweed production, especially in the selection and preparation of planting materials. Women are also involved in management until harvest, drying and marketing (Fig. 3). In 2012, the Asian tiger shrimp was the most-cultured crustacean in Mindanao. This distinction is expected to change this year because production of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei is already far more popular than the Asian tiger shrimp and the number of people venturing into its culture is rapidly increasing. Except for Asian tiger shrimp and Pacific white shrimp, which are cultured in brackishwater fish ponds, production of milkfish and tilapia is versatile, inasmuch as ponds, cages and pens are used in their culture. Culture Systems Ponds are either earthen or concrete (Figs. 4 and 5). The use of liners in earthen ponds is gaining popularity in shrimp farming because the duration of pond preparation is reduced substantially. With liners, ponds can be restocked within 15 days of harvest, compared to conventional earthen ponds without liners, which, on average, require about two months of pond preparation. Ponds with liners can be used to produce three or more crops per year, while conventional ponds, as a result of the length of pond preparation, will only allow about two crops. The use of concrete ponds in intensive culture of tilapia (SEAFDEC-selected Nile tilapia) is successfully carried out at Villa Edna Farm in Tupi, South Cotabato (Fig. 5). In this farm, allmale tilapia are stocked at 50-100 fish/m3 with intensive aeration, feeding and water exchange. Market size (350-400 g) is reached in four months. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 50) FIGURE 4. Earthen pond at RD Kawas Sarangani Province used for the intensive culture of Pacific white shrimp. Postlarvae are stocked at 70 shrimp/m2 and the average duration of culture is 100 days. FIGURE 3. Ms. Juanita Bahian, the Provincial Fisheries Officer of the province of Dinagat Islands and Regional Seaweed Coordinator, conducts hands-on training on the culture and management of seaweed. FIGURE 5. Concrete ponds at Villa Edna Farm, Tucalabong, Tupi South Cotabato. These ponds are provided with intensive aeration to support a high density of SEAFDEC-selected Nile tilapia. FIGURE 6. Traditional cages in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. Cages in this lake are generally rectangular in shape and of various sizes.
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