Wednesday, August 27, 2008 Davao's fish production down By Carlo P. Mallo
FISH production in Southern Mindanao is suffering from a setback due to the adverse weather brought about by Typhoon Frank (international codename: Fengshen) last June.
According to Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Southern Mindanao chief George Campeon, Typhoon Frank caused heavy flooding in some areas in Davao del Norte, damaging fish ponds and fish cages in the area.
In 2007, Southern Mindanao produced a total of 18,049 metric tons of fish, while seven months into 2008, only 8,691 metric tons have only been produced so far.
However, Campeon remains optimistic that there will be an increase in production this year.
"There will be an increase but not much," Campeon said during Tuesday's Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao's Pizza Hut Restaurant.
Campeon added that with additional mariculture parks being put up in various areas of Southern Mindanao, fish production would get a boost.
At present, mariculture parks are being operated off the coasts of Panabo City and in the Island Garden City of Samal, while another mariculture park is set to be opened in September off the coasts of Magnaga in Pantukan.
BFAR is also eyeing the opening of another mariculture park in Mati City, Davao Oriental by 2009.
