Government crafts masterplan for eel industry development

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is investing around P20 million to develop the local eel industry, with focus on the sustainable utilization and conservation of resources.

The DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is formulating a masterplan for the nationwide development of the industry and implementation of sub-activities that will start next year.

“The plan is focused on the development of studies on the culture of eel, nursery grow-out, feed formulation and farming systems, and sustainable resource utilization,” said Evelyn Ame, DA-BFAR national eel focal person.

She added that the agency would also form various fisherfolk associations and cooperatives to enable eel fishers to have better leverage on the market.

“It will include strict implementation of regulatory measures including traceability, eel researches, and establishment of management measures, alongside advocacy campaign,” Ame said.

The plan also includes the resolution of specific issues such as wastage of A. marmorata (marbled eel), as importers mostly prefer A.bicolor (shortfin eel) species.

“The eel development plan will enable industry players to tap into this huge export potential without compromising sustainability of the resources,” she said.

Five years ago, there was a massive spike in demand for elvers (young eel) in the global market which led to huge increase in its buying price to as high as P45,000 per kilogram.

Consequently, the high buying price led to unabated gathering, prompting the government to issue Fisheries Administrative Order 242, which  prescribed a size limit of 15 centimeters total length for elvers set for export.