Bohol new breakthrough: Open pen prawn culture

.“Today is a historic day for Bohol because it has proven to the world that Tiger Shrimps can be cultured in marine waters. No study in any part of the world was done along this line. This is the Philippines ' first, Asia 's first and most likely the world's first.” This was the proud statement of Malcolm Sarmiento, National Director of the Bureau of Fish and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) during the first harvest of tiger prawns cultured in marine waters recently at Panggangan, Calape, Bohol.

In his speech, Dir. Sarmiento explained that Tiger Prawns all over the world are cultured in brackish water. He cited China , the world's largest Tiger Prawn exporter who culture their prawns in brackish water. The opportunity came when a Bulakeño who grows grouper in Dauis seas harvested a tiger prawn along with groupers in his fish pen.

The discovery led Benjie Aniag to suggest tiger prawn culture. Upon learning of the incident, BFAR through Sarmiento ordered a research work on tiger prawns at the BFAR hatchery in Panggangan, Calape. Sarmiento, at the harvest said the Bohol breakthrough will definitely help improve the lives of the marginalized fisherfolk. Putting up open pen enclosures in marine waters is very cheap. Prawn cultured in open pens cost only half compared to growing them in ponds, Sarmiento said.

Open pen cultured prawn grow also as big as those in ponds with the same stocking density, he added citing the research. Governor Erico Aumentado's campaign to extend alternative livelihood assistance to illegal fishers while using this breakthrough maybe a means to fully eradicate illegal fishing. Once set, this is hoped to reduce poverty among the fisherfolk at the same time increase earnings; tiger prawns have big markets outside the country. Gov. Aumentado was so enthusiastic upon learning the breakthrough. He hopes to replicate this successful study in many coastal areas of Bohol .

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