The Philippine fisheries sector is the biggest gainer in terms of growth in 2007 and the government this year is pushing for environment-friendly system such as mariculture park to help sustain the growth of the fisheries sector.

Data from the Department of Agriculture indicated that the fisheries sector consistently is the biggest gainer in terms of growth and the government is targeting 5.34 million metric tons (MT) this year or a ten percent increase from the 4.85 million MT of fisheries production in 2006.

To support this goal are various undertakings to include expansion programs on seaweed farming, farming of high value species such as abalone, sea urchins and sea cucumbers, and P. vannamei or Pacific white shrimp.

There will also be more aggressive enforcement of anti-poaching and illegal fishing and sustained resource conservation efforts.

The Philippines was listed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as No. 8 from the previous ranking of No. 11 among the top fish-producing countries in the world.

Tuna is the country’s top export product shipped in many parts of the world including the USA, Japan, China and the European Union. It is also the world’s 2nd largest producer of seaweeds, with production reaching 1.39 million MT or 11.6 percent of the total world production of 12 million MT.

And talking of fishes, I buy fresh catch in a talipapa along Matina Aplaya where the vendor clean and cut the fish into slices you want for your cooking. I’d rather have my supply from there because the fish is really fresh, shiny with still bright eyes an indicator that what you are getting is new. And for sinabaw na bangus, maya maya, talakitok or even the tuna basta butangan ug green sili – you can’t help but savor the sweetness with a kick in your soup.