A historic groundbreaking ceremony of a Legislated Multi-Purpose Marine Hatchery was held in Brgy. Quinawan, Bagac, Bataan, this Jan. 26.
The ceremony was led by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) led by BFAR Region 3 Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz as BFAR National Director Demosthenes R. Escoto’s representative.
The project was made possible by Republic Act 11912, or “An Act Establishing a Multi-Species Marine Hatchery in the Municipality of Bagac, Bataan.”
In the message of DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., shared by DA RFO 3 Regional Executive Director Crispulo G. Bautista, Jr., he thanked the provincial government of Bataan, the local government of Bagac, BFAR, and DENR-CENRO for their cooperation in this initiative.
He also mentioned the vital role of SHAREMAX Holdings Inc. in providing one hectare of land for the establishment of the hatchery.
This over 30-million-peso project aims to improve the capacity of aquafarm operators in Bataan to meet the demand for fish seed. It is expected that the hatchery will be the primary source of milkfish fry, seabass fry, giant freshwater prawn or lobster seed stocks, and other high-value species such as pompano, grouper, and red snapper.
Moreover, the hatchery will also feature environmentally friendly operations and new technology such as hybrid design solar-powered equipment, water treatment disposals, and innovative breeding tanks for the bangus. Its design can guide other operators in the fish hatchery sector to improve fish seed production.
The hatchery will also be an on-site training facility that will provide training on hatchery techniques, fish hatchery management, and new technologies. It also aims to be a training center for students from schools and universities in Bataan.
After construction, BFAR will manage and provide the necessary knowledge and skills for two years. Through a Memorandum of Agreement, the facility and management will be transferred to the provincial and town governments.
Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia III, Vice Gov. Maria Christina Garcia, Mayor Rommel Del Rosario, and other Bataan provincial and town government officials were also part of the ceremony.