FROM FISHERS TO FARMERS

FROM FISHERS TO FARMERS

Plastic pollution is wreaking havoc on our marine life, posing an immediate and significant threat to our food security. Every year, vast amounts of plastic waste find their way into our oceans, endangering fish stocks and reducing the availability of seafood. What remains of our marine life is now increasingly contaminated with microplastics, raising concerns about human health and wellness. How safe is our seafood consumption today?

Climate change is further compounding the problem. Rising sea temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns have made it increasingly difficult for small-scale fishermen to venture into the open seas. These fisherfolk, often reliant on traditional methods, lack the large-scale fishing boats that could better withstand rough conditions. Meanwhile, the dwindling fish catch has led to fierce competition between small-scale fishers and large commercial operators. How much longer can we sustainably depend on wild fish stocks?

Fortunately, there is hope. Recent figures indicate that nearly half of our seafood is now produced through aquaculture. This means that we are already shifting towards a more controlled and sustainable form of seafood production. However, the question remains: are we doing enough to ensure our food security for the future?

It is time to take decisive action by significantly increasing our aquaculture production. The government must actively adopt and promote advanced aquaculture technologies such as the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS). This system allows for efficient fish farming in enclosed environments, reducing dependence on the open seas. Additionally, aquaponics—where fish and vegetables are grown together in a symbiotic system—should be widely supported and implemented. Could these innovations help us transition from overfishing to sustainable seafood production?

Another viable solution is vertical farming in multistory buildings. By integrating RAS and aquaponics within urban spaces, we can produce fresh seafood and vegetables in a sustainable manner while utilizing minimal land and water resources. Additionally, we should consider reviving commercial fishponds in swamplands, but only if strict environmental laws are followed, including the preservation of mangrove forests.

Beyond technology, we must also ensure that our initiatives are inclusive. Indigenous communities, coastal residents, and even highland populations should be empowered to participate in seafood production. The government should provide training and financial support to small-scale fish producers, neighborhood associations, and cooperatives to encourage widespread adoption of aquaculture.

The numbers speak for themselves. In 2022, there were approximately 2.3 million fisherfolk in the Philippines, with 1.1 million engaged in capture fishing. However, with ocean warming, melting polar caps, and rising sea levels on the horizon, we must act now before traditional fishing becomes unsustainable. Increasing aquaculture production is not just an option—it is a necessity for ensuring food security in the years to come.

The transition from reliance on capture fishing to aquaculture is inevitable. But the real question is: will we act swiftly enough to safeguard our future? It is time to embrace aquaculture, invest in innovative solutions, and secure our nation's food supply for generations to come.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

03-11-2025

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

HOW IS THE CRIME RATE COMPUTED IN THE PHILIPPINES?

HOW IS THE CRIME RATE COMPUTED IN THE PHILIPPINES? When we talk about the crime rate in the Philippines, we often assume that the figures we see are accurate reflections of reality. But have we ever paused to ask—how exactly is the crime rate computed? Where does this data come from, and how reliable is it? The computation of the crime rate in the Philippines is officially handled by the Philippine National Police (PNP). The formula itself is straightforward: Crime Rate = (Total Reported Crimes / Total Population) x 100,000 This simple equation gives us the number of crimes per 100,000 people, allowing for fair comparison across regions and time periods. However, the reality behind these numbers is more complex than it appears. Data from the Ground The foundation of our national crime rate is empirical data collected at the grassroots level—from individual police stations scattered across the country. Every reported crime is logged in local police blotters, forming the buil...
Read more

GREY AREAS IN GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS

GREY AREAS IN GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS Dear Mr. President: May I ask who is going to be the arbiter or referee whenever there are overlaps in functions between two or more government agencies? I imagine that there would be no problem if these agencies would just cooperate and collaborate with each other, but what if they are unable to settle their differences and they would just end up throwing blame at each other or finger pointing at each other? Allow me to cite some examples. Who is supposed to take the lead in waste to energy projects? Is it supposed to be the DENR that is supposed to handle waste? Or is it supposed to be the DOE that is supposed to handle energy generation? Or is it supposed to be the DILG since it is the one that could direct or influence the waste to energy projects of LGUs? Who is supposed to take the lead in producing and promoting the use of biofuels? Is it supposed to be the DA, since the production of biofuels is supposed to be all about planting biofuel ...
Read more

LOCALIZED FREE AMBULANCE SERVICES

LOCALIZED FREE AMBULANCE SERVICES As it is supposed to be, anyone in the Philippines should be able to dial 911, and a telephone operator should be able to dispatch fire, rescue, ambulance and police (FRAP) units as soon as possible, based on acceptable response times. I invented the FRAP acronym for easy recall, and I hope it sticks, if there is no other alternative. Unfortunately, due to a mixture of technical and political reasons, the Philippines has not adopted 911 as a national number, because some LGUs would rather use their own three-digit numbers such as 117 and 168. I actually proposed a technical solution to that problem, but it was not adopted either. For whatever it is worth, my solution is to install a call forwarding system that could route all calls to a central operator, regardless of what number is dialed. It is very sad for me to know that up to now, even if our country is already over one hundred years old, there are still many LGUs that do not have fire trucks. it ...
Read more