Rural Aquaculture in the Philipines

As a follow-up of the publication on Rural Aquaculture: Overview and framework for country reviews RAP Publication 1997/36, efforts have been made to review rural aquaculture in some of the major aquacultural countries in Asia and the Pacific Region. Rural Aquaculture in the Philippines is the first publication under this series, and it is expected that similar publications on other countries such as China, India, etc. would follow. In 1997, aquaculture production in the Philippines was 957,546 mt representing 34.6% of the total fisheries production. During the last ten years, aquaculture production has been growing at the average annual rate of 5.4%, with a negative growth only in 1997 mainly because of problems related to shrimp disease and pollution of mussel beds. In 1997, production from aquaculture was valued at PHP 27,400 million, representing 34% of the value of total fisheries production. Export earning from aquaculture products in 1997 was USD224 million, mainly from shrimps and seaweeds. It is estimated that the total employment generated by aquaculture is over 300,000, in which women have a big share. It is important to note that, in the opinion of the author, the definition of rural aquaculture by Edwards and Demaine does not fit in the context of small-scale aquaculture in the rural Philippines. However, aquaculture in the Philippines is mostly small-scale and household/community based operations and it contributes to food security, employment, household income and foreign exchange earnings in no small way.