Today, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) 7, in collaboration with the Local Government Unit of Bantayan, Bantayan Island, Cebu, celebrated the inauguration of the Bantayan Island Multi-Species Marine Hatchery.

The inauguration ceremony, graced by esteemed dignitaries, was spearheaded by DA Undersecretary for Fisheries, Drusila Esther E. Bayate, alongside DA-BFAR Assistant Director for Operations Isidro M. Velayo, DA-7 Regional Technical Director Joel A. Elumba, BFAR-7 Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Mario N. Ruinata, outgoing BFAR-7 Regional Director Allan L. Poquita, Bantayan, Cebu Municipal Mayor Hon. Arthur E. Despi, and Madridejos, Cebu Municipal Mayor Hon. Romeo A. Villaceran. Key officials from BFAR representing various regions also graced the ceremony, alongside prominent figures from the municipal and provincial government.

Addressing the significance of the project, USEC Bayate remarked, “This project aims to address the challenges of fry scarcity, escalating input costs, technology gaps, and the exacerbation of these issues due to climate change.”

The initiative, a governmental endeavor, seeks to boost the country’s aquaculture production by augmenting the output of locally sourced fry, thereby reducing dependency on imports, elevating fry quality within the island and Cebu Province as a whole, and promoting species diversification.

DA-BFAR 7 will oversee the management of the multi-species marine hatchery for the first two years, providing expertise through training, phasing-in program, and capacity-building for local government personnel in anticipation of the facility’s turnover. Subsequently, through a memorandum of agreement, DA-BFAR-7 will transfer management responsibilities to the concerned local government unit. Thereafter, the local administration will assume full accountability for the facility’s operations.

Situated in Bantigue, Bantayan, Bantayan Island, Cebu, the hatchery anticipates producing 500,000 fry by the end of 2023 and plans to cultivate pompano and other high-value species.

The establishment of this hatchery took a seven-year journey, dating back from its approval as Republic Act 10856 on May 23, 2016, signifying a significant stride in the realm of aquaculture development.