Milkfish harvest hailed, Norwegian-type fish cage promoted

PAGADIAN CITY – The Philippines hailed the success of the “Norwegian marine fish cage” project in the southern province of Zamboanga del Norte following a huge harvest that benefitted members of the Sindangan Fisherfolk Association.

According to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Zamboanga Peninsula, some 1.645 tons of milkfish were partially harvested from two Norwegian marine fish cages in Sindangan town on December 28. The agency monitored and documented the harvest in the coastal village of R.G. Macias, adding the cages, were stocked on June 21 last year by the Sindangan Fisherfolk Association, the beneficiary of the project.

The BFAR said the success of this project not only provided a very sustainable form of livelihood for the beneficiaries, it also provided a very viable and profitable means for Sindangan fishermen to invest in a fish cage venture in their town.

Photos released by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources show fishermen enjoying the bounty harvest of milkfish in Sindangan town in Zamboanga del Norte province. (Mindanao Examiner)

It said the Norwegian fish cage technology uses high-density polyethylene composites and serves to address several issues at once. It said this technology is highly productive in terms of sheer harvest volume compared to the traditional bamboo fish cage and it is sustainable since it no longer requires indigenous materials, aside from being highly durable.

Norwegian fish cages can also be deployed in areas where wave action makes it impossible to operate traditional bamboo fish cages, and this technology can be replicated in other coastal communities in the country.

Another popular Norwegian fish cage uses a circular frame made of polyvinyl chloride or steel pipes and around this frame, which is held by floaters and anchors, a net cage 7 to 10 meters deep is hung and stocks are released and raised inside it. (Al Jacinto)