Romblon U forges partnership with key stakeholders to boost Aquasilviculture Project

Sunday 27th of May 2012

ODIONGAN, Romblon, May 27 (PIA) -- In line with the implementation of the National Aquasilviculture Program in the province of Romblon, the present leadership of Romblon State University (RSU) initiated a Special Meeting on May 24 held at Community Outreach Center (COC), main campus to forge strong partnership with the key stakeholders in implementing this environment-friendly project which cost P 3.4 million.

The meeting was led by Dr. Arnulfo F. De Luna, SUC President II of RSU, Ruperto N. Alforque, OIC- Provincial Fishery Officer, and Engr. Raynaldo Angel M. De Juan, ENRO and witnessed by the OIC- Regional Director Emmanuel H. Asis of BFAR and other stakeholders.

Aquasilviculture involves the growing of fish and other aquatic products within a mangrove area without cutting down a single tree as an environment-friendly approach to enhance fisheries production in the wild.

The standard distance of 1.5 m X 2 m between propagules shall be observed, provided that at least 3,000 mangrove propagules should be planted in every hectare of aquasilviculture farm, and that no more than 30 percent of the area shall be devoted to aquasilviculture.

Further, a Project Management Office (PMO) was formed to oversee the operations and implementation of the program in the province covering its various components like Community-Based Multi-Species Hatchery Project; Aquasilviculture Project (16 units); and Mangrove Rehabilitation Project (183,300 propagules).

The PMO is comprised of the respective head/ or representative of Romblon State University (RSU), BFAR- Provincial Fishery Office (PFO) and Provincial Government- Environment & Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO).

OIC-Reg. Dir. Asis said that he is optimistic that this project will be realized very soon through the collaborative efforts of RSU, PFO and ENRO. Moreover, he stressed that it would bring economic and ecological benefits particularly to the host communities. (Contributed byEngr. Raymund G. Inocencio, EMSII-ENRO/DM/TBO/PIA-IVB/Romblon)