Mariculture zone to boost Pangasinan ‘bangus’ industry

INFANTA, Pangasinan, Philippines — The status of Pangasinan province as the country’s top “bangus” (milkfish) producer was further bolstered with the establishment of an 86-hectare mariculture zone park (MZP) in this coastal town facing the West Philippine Sea.

On Tuesday, Segundina Gaerlan, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources director in the Ilocos region, and Infanta Mayor Marvin Martinez signed a memorandum of agreement to put up the MZP in municipal waters.

Pangasinan produced close to 110,000 metric tons of bangus in 2019, or 27 percent of the country’s total production of 409,906.56 MT.

Martinez said the town would generate additional income through taxes from MZP investors and create employment for residents.

—YOLANDA SOTELO