Fish cages in Magat Dam Project in the Philippines

Photo credit: Marx Perfecto C. Garcia (Philippines)

Description: Marx Perfecto C. Garcia and Abdel Rahman El Gamal (Founder of the website)

These fish cage modules are a part of the Magat Dam Aqua-Park Project of the Bureau Resources of & Aquatic Fisheries/ Cordillera Administrative Region (BFAR-CAR). The project is composed of the cage modules and a floating house. Out of the 10 cage modules, nine have been established to provide areas for the fisherfolk to conduct their aquaculture activities towards improving their nutritional status as well as increasing their income. It is used for grow-out of tilapia and carp species. The fish cage modules are located within the Baligatan area of the reservoir. The fish cages are also designed to withstand typhoons.

Each of the nine modules has four cages, plus mooring system, and service boats. Each cage has been stocked with 2,500 fish fingerlings. The tenth module has six cages intended to be used as technology demonstration project of BFAR.

In order to ensure the friendly nature of the operation, the alternate-day feeding strategy has been recommended (skip feeding) which implies less feed provided and hence reduced possible pollution. In addition to the environmental safety of such approach, its economic feasibility has been reported. Note: Magat Dam, which was completed in 1982, is one of the largest dams in the Philippines located in Ifugao. The Magat Dam and reservoir has a total water area of 4,500 hectares. By law, about 10% of the area can be used for aquaculture.

Permanent link to this article: https://fishconsult.org/?p=14696