TECHNOLOGY AND LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION

with ENTREPRENEURSHIP (TLE 2)

Chapter III: AGRICULTURE AND FISHERY ARTS

Lesson 3: Fishery in Philippines

The Philippines is not only a country reflected on well-preserved artifacts,

canvases, fabrics, or chiseled molds, with a history worth revisiting but a country also known for
its rich marine biodiversity.
The Philippines, a maritime nation that is a complex of islands comprises 7,641
islands and has the territorial seas that covers 679,800 km² and Exclusive Economic Zone
(EEZ) of 2,263,816 km². Most parts of the Philippines are coastal areas (Palomares and Pauly,
2014). Fisheries have a great significance in terms of food security and economy in the
Philippines (Santos et.al., 2011). There is a need to secure the food supply to keep feeding
people as poverty remained continuously high and the population has grown in the Philippines.
Fisheries are a strategically important factor because it has a positive nutritional effect as a
source of necessary protein and essential nutrients (Prein and Ahmed, 2000; Irz et.al., 2007).
Total fish consumption has been rising steadily with increases in production.
The fisheries in the Philippines makes a significant contribution to the national
economy in terms of income and employment. Total fish production was estimated at 4.65
million metric tons, and the fisheries sector contributed almost 4.33 billion dollars to the country
economy in 2015 (BFAR, 2016).

• Classify the area of aquatic resources, area and location of major lakes and
major fishing grounds in the Philippines
• Discuss the common fishes available in the market

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Concepts and Definitions

Aquaculture refers to fishery operation involving all forms of raising and culturing of fish and
other fishery species in marine, brackish water, and freshwater environment. Examples are
fishponds, fish pens, fish cages, mussel, oyster, seaweed farms, and hatcheries.

Aquafarms are farming facilities used in the culture or propagation of aquatic species including
fish, mollusk, crustaceans, and aquatic plants for purposes of rearing to enhance production.

Brackish Water refers to mixture of seawater and freshwater with salinity that varies with the
tide. Examples are estuaries, mangroves, and mouths of rivers where seawater enters during
high tides.

Commercial fishing refers to the catching of fish with the use of fishing boats with a capacity of
more than three (3) gross tons for trade, business, or profit beyond subsistence or sports
fishing.

Fishermen is a classification of workers who catch, breed and raise fish, and cultivate other
forms of aquatic life for sale or delivery on a regular basis to wholesale buyers, marketing
organizations or at markets.

Fisheries refer to all activities relating to the act or business of fishing, culturing, preserving,
processing, marketing, developing, conserving, and managing aquatic resources and the fishery
areas including the privilege to fish or take aquatic resources thereof (RA 8550).

Fisheries sector refers to the sector engaged in the production, growing, harvesting,
processing, marketing, developing, conserving, and managing of aquatic resources and fishing
areas.

Fishing refers to the taking of fishery species from their wild state or habitat with or without the
use of fishing vessels.

Fishing boat is a type of watercraft, such as motorized/non-motorized banca, sailboat,

motorboat, etc., either licensed or not, used for fishing purposes.

Fish cage refers to stationary or floating fish enclosure made of synthetic net wire/bamboo
screen or other materials set in the form of inverted mosquito net (“hapa” type), with or without
cover, with all sides either tied to poles staked to the water bottom or with anchored floats for
aquaculture purposes.

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Fishing gear is any instrument or device and its accessories utilized in taking fish and other
fishery species.
Fishing grounds refer to areas in any body of water where fish and other aquatic resources
congregate and become target of capture.

Fish pen is an artificial enclosure constructed within a body of water for culturing fish and
fishery/aquatic resources made up of bamboo poles closely arranged in an enclosure with
wooden materials, screen, or nylon netting to prevent escape of fish.

Fishpond refers to a body of water, artificial or natural, where fish and other aquatic products
are cultured, raised, or cultivated under controlled conditions. This is a land-based type of
aquafarm. Note that the setting-up of fish cages in ponds does not make the operation of fish
cage and at the same time a fishpond.

Freshwater refers to water without salt or marine origin, such as generally found in lakes,
rivers, canals, dams, reservoirs, paddy fields, and swamps.

Inland municipal fishing is the catching of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and all other aquatic
animals and plants in inland water like lakes, rivers, dams, marshes, etc. using simple gears
and fishing boats, some of which are non-motorized with a capacity of three (3) gross tons or
less; or fishing not requiring the use of fishing boats.

Landing center is a place where the fish catch and other aquatic products are unloaded and
traded.

Marine refers to seawater outside the coastal line such as Manila Bay, Visayan Sea, etc.
Municipal fishing covers fishing operation carried out with or without the use of a boat weighing
three (3) gross tons or less.

Mussel farming refers to the cultivation of mussel in suitable water area by any farming method
with appropriate intents and purposes.

Oyster farming refers to the cultivation of oysters in suitable water areas by any method for
production purposes.

Rice fish culture is an integrated farming system involving raising of fish in rice paddies.

Seawater refers to inshore and open waters and inland seas in which the salinity generally
exceeds 20%.

Seaweed farming is the cultivation of seaweed in suitable water areas by any method with
appropriate intensive care for production in commercial quantities.

Small farm reservoirs are small bodies of water with an area of less than 10 km, e.g., small
ponds, canals, irrigation canals, swamps, etc., which can be suitable for culture-based fisheries.
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 Fish cage

Fish pen

Brackish Water

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 Mussel farming

Oyster farming

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 Rice fish culture

- Cultivating rice and fish

together has been a
2,000-year-old tradition in
the Philippines. The
increasing population which
led to the introduction of
“Green Revolution and
Masagana 99'' in early 70's
emphasized high-input
monoculture using high-
yield rice varieties,
pesticides, and herbicides
(which are toxic to fish).

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Figure 1. Location Map for Lakes in the Philippines

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Figure 2. Major River Basins, Bays, and Lakes in the Philippines

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FISHERY RESOURCES

Table 1. Area of Aquatic Resources

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Table 2. Area and Location of Major Lakes in the Philippines

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Table 3. Area and Location of Major Fishing Grounds in the Philippines

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COMMON FISHES AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET

Eating fish is an important source of omega-3 fatty acids. These essential nutrients keep
our heart and brain healthy. Two omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are EPA (eicosapentaenoic
acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Our bodies don't produce omega-3 fatty acids so we
must get them through the food we eat. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in every kind of fish, but
are especially high in fatty fish. Some good choices are salmon, trout, sardines, herring, canned
mackerel, canned light tuna, and oysters.

➢ Omega- 3 Fatty Acids

• Help maintain a healthy heart by lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of
sudden death, heart attack, abnormal heart rhythms, and strokes.
• Aid healthy brain function and infant development of vision and nerves during
pregnancy.
• May decrease the risk of depression, ADHD, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and
diabetes.
• May prevent inflammation and reduce the risk of arthritis.

To give you an idea regarding popular types of local fish in the country, listed below
some that would also be of great use in your next market hunt, together with their Filipino
names, English names, scientific names, and distinct characteristics:

1. Alumahan (Long-Jawed Mackerel; Rastrelliger kanagurta) “Bulaw-bulaw”

- These mackerel species belong to the same fish family as tunas (family
Scombridae). They are widely common in the Philippines and are generally found in
shallow coastal waters.
- The alumahan fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 350-400 per
kilo.

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 2. Bisugo (Threadfin Bream; Nemipterus japonicas) “Lagaw”
- These species are commonly found in tropical and salty waters in the Indian and
Western Pacific oceans, which vary in size as well. They are relatively popular in the
Philippine market because they are versatile for many dishes.
- The bisugo fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 350-380 per kilo.

3. Salay-Salay/Salay-butang/Apahay (Yellowtail Scad; Selaroides leptolepis)

- these species are small and somewhat easy to catch although their meat is slightly
coarse. They belong in the scad family and are known for the distinct yellow details
in their bodies and tails.
- The salay-salay fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 350-400 per
kilo.

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 4. Galunggong (Mackarel Scad; Decapterus sp)
- This fish is extremely popular in Philippine markets, especially with the masses as
they are relatively inexpensive and remarkably tasty. They are found in salt waters
especially in Northeastern Palawan and in Navotas-dubbed as the country’s fishing
capital.
- The galunggong fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 240-270 per
kilo.

5. Salmon (Threadfin Salmon; Eleutheronema tetradactylum)

- There are threadfin salmon around Philippine waters but most of these fishes are
imported and increasingly becoming popular.
- The salmon fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 800-900 per kilo.

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 6. Bangus (Milk Fish; Chanos chanos) “Bangrus”
- Bangus is an important seafood in the Pacific with the Philippines even has a bangus
festival in Dagupan where there is a major milkfish aquaculture industry. This fish
has olive-green skin with silvery scales with a milky white bottom.
- The bangus fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 240-270 per kilo.

7. Dalagang Bukid (Yellowtail fusilier; Caesio cuning)

- This fish got its name because of its unique red color. The color red is often used in
describing Filipina farm girls wearing a red wrap-around skirt in the province.
- The dalagang bukid fish is available in public markets usually priced at around Php
375 per kilo in a regular sized, Php 500 per kilo for dalagang lapad, a bigger and
fatter fish of the same kind.

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 8. Dilis (Anchovy; Engraulidae) “Guno”
- This type of fish is extremely popular in the Philippine market, especially to be used
as spicy bar chow or as toppings on rice. The dilis fish is common in shallow
saltwater reefs.
- Fresh dilis is available in public markets usually priced at Php 120-150 per kilo. In
dried form, it is sold at around Php 400 per kilo.

9. Yellow-Fin (Big eye tuna; Thunnus obesus)

- The big eye tuna is of the same species of the yellow-fin tuna (Thunnus albacares),
thus also having a yellow dorsal fin and is more common in Philippine markets to be
(mis)identified as “yellow-fin” tuna. This fish is commonly found in the open waters of
all tropical and temperate oceans.
- The “yellow-fin” fish is available in public markets usually priced at around Php 260
per kilo, depending on the size.

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 10. Kitang (Spotted Scat; Scatophagus argus) “Kikiro”
- This flatfish is a popular brackish water fish with a silver-bronze body with black
spots. In Philippine dishes it is usually cooked with vinegar, the process is called
paksiw in Tagalog.
- The kitang fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 350-400 per kilo.

11. Maya-Maya (Red Snapper; Lutianus sp)

- This type of fish is popular in Philippine markets due to its delicate and flavorful white
meat. They usually vary in size that can either be small or big. They are known for
their vivid and distinct red color and are commonly found in salty environments and
shallow reefs.
- The Maya-Maya fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 350-400 per
kilo.

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 12. Sapsap (Ponyfish/Slipmouth; Leiognathus sp)
- This type of fish is usually characterized by their slimy bodies, small scales, and a
widely extending mouth. They only grow under six (6) inches in length. Because of
its abundant population in its natural habitat- the shallow coastal waters. This feed is
also usually used for various food cuisines especially in the country.
- The sapsap fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 350 to 400 per
kilo.

13. Tulingan/Tambakol (Mackarel Tuna)

- With its vertical stripes at the back, deeply forked tail, and a small velvety touch of
scale, this fish is usually found offshores of both temperate and tropical seas
commonly swimming with a school across the deep ocean.
- The tulingan fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 360per kilo.

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 14. Hiwas/Tahas (Mene Moonfish; Mene maculata) “Bilong-bilong”
- This type of fish is usually found in muddy, salty waters and often in deep waters.
They are often mistaken for the sapsap fish due to their similar features- flat body
and big head but the hiwas has a protruding belly.
- The hiwas fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 180-200 per kilo.

15. Lapu-Lapu (Grouper; Epinephelus sp) “Inid”

- Groupers are a high-valued type of fish because of their white, flaky flesh which is
usually distributed in markets either dead or fresh. They are commonly found in
saltwater and are hard to raise because of their carnivorous nature. A famous dish
using this fish is escabeche or pickled fried fish.
- The Lapu-Lapu fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 450-800 per
kilo.

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 16. Salmonete (Striped Red Mullet; Mullus surmuletus)
- This type of fish has distinct bright red colored scales and yellow stripe on its body
usually caught near the shore. Their white meat is delicate to cook and is often
prepared in a paksiw dish.
- The salmonete fish is available in public markets usually priced at around Php 200
per kilo.

17. Tilapia (Mayan Cichlids)

- Covering the 4.30% of the inland contribution of fisheries last 2016, this fish is
obviously one of the most abundant fish that can be found in the Philippine
archipelago. The term “tilapia” however, covers nearly hundreds of different species
in general.
- The tilapia fish is available in public markets usually priced at Php 140-150 per kilo,
depending on the size.

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 18. Tawilis (Sardinella tawilis) “Tuloy”
- This type of fish is migratory that can only be found in the Philippines, in Lake Taal,
which is the 3rd largest lake in the country. The fish was announced to be
endangered in January 2019 and is now illegal to be bought and sold in markets.

Direction: Make a community survey to determine the species of fishes raised in your
community. Fill out the chart below.

Problems
Address of fish Species of fish
Name of fish farmer encountered in
farmer raised/ catched
raising/ fishing
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

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