Underwater cages ideal for the culture of Lobsters and Red Groupers will be introduced to the local government units and fisherfolk communities of Olutanga Island on Sept. 14 during a Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) sponsored event in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Three units will be donated by Inca Philippines, the Cebu-based company which makes the unique underwater fish cages for each of the three towns of the island, Olutanga, Mabuhay and Talusan.
Inca Philippines officer Jonathan Cabasa, during our meeting in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur last week, pledged the three demonstration units for the growing of Red Grouper or Sono in waters off the island.
He said the Underwater Fish Cages could be moored 15 meters under the surface of the water, a depth ideal for the growing of Lobsters and for the Red Grouper.
The Red Grouper, also known as Sono, retains its red color when it stays in deep waters.
However, previous attempts to culture “Sono” in shallow sea waters failed in retaining the red skin pigmentation and they turned black.
“Sono” growing experts say, the expensive Red Grouper species which sells between P3,000 to P5,000 per kilo live, must be grown in deep waters.
Cabasa said the Underwater Fish Cages was developed by Japanese technicians in the Samar and Leyte seas following the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda which destroyed the surface water fish cages.
The company has also developed a fish cage for Bangus which could be submerged underwater during the typhoon season but which could be floated when the sea is calm.
The three Olutanga Island towns have formed an alliance called OLTAMA Development Alliance which aims to jointly develop their fisheries and aquamarine industries in the previously neglected island.
One of their projects is the establishment of a Mariculture Park where they will grow Lobsters and Groupers or Lapulapu, including the expensive Red Grouper or Sono.
Inca Philippines will install the three pilot Underwater Fish Cages in Olutanga shortly after the signing of the OLTAMA Development Alliance Master Plan which MinDA helped prepare.
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(Photos of the fish cages were provided by Inca Philippines while other photos show the meeting between MinDA and Inca Philippines officials in Tandag City last week.)
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