Fishery Arts and Fish Raising in the Philippines

Vocabulary flashcards covering branches of fishery arts, methods of fish preservation, legal bases, supporting agencies, and pioneer fish raisers in the Philippines.

Fishery Arts

A field of study that involves the raising, management, and use of fish and other aquatic resources.

Fish Culture (Aquaculture)

The branch of fishery arts that involves the raising and propagation of fish and other aquatic resources in controlled or semi-controlled environments, like fishponds, fish pens, cages, and tanks.

Fish Cultivation

The rearing of fish and other aquatic resources from their very young stage to their marketable size.

Fish Propagation

The process of breeding and raising fish and other aquatic resources to promote or enhance their reproduction and survival through natural, semi-natural, or artificial methods.

Fish Conservation

Efforts aimed at the protection and sustainable management of fish and other aquatic products and their habitats to ensure populations continue to survive and reproduce for future generations.

Fish Capture

The branch of fishery arts pertaining to the method of catching or harvesting fish and other aquatic resources from natural bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Fish Processing

Mechanical or chemical operations performed on fish and other aquatic resources to extend their shelf life and to transform or preserve them.

Salting

One of the oldest preservation methods in the Philippines that preserves fish by lowering its water content through salt absorption.

Osmosis

The absorption process in fish salting where water passes out of the fish flesh and salt penetrates the tissues until it absorbs the concentrated salt solution.

Drying

A traditional fish preservation method that removes water from fish tissues until moisture is reduced to prevent the growth of microorganisms, using sun drying or dehydration.

Smoking

A fish preservation method that browns, cooks, or preserves fish and imparts desirable flavor and color by exposing it to smoke from burning wood or other materials.

Fermentation

The process of mixing fish with salt and allowing it to ferment for 30 to 90 days with occasional stirring, utilizing enzymes and microorganisms to produce products such as fish bagoong, fish patis, and burong isda.

Chilling

The preservation process of lowering the temperature of fish near freezing using ice to slow down chemical reactions and enzyme activity.

Freezing

A preservation method using refrigerators and freezers that maintains the freshness, taste, and nutritive value of fish to prevent spoilage.

Canning

A modern fish preservation method that involves packing pre-cooked fish in airtight containers with added ingredients, sealing them, sterilizing at high temperatures, and cooling.

Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 (Republic Act No. 8550)

A national law providing for the development, management, and conservation of fisheries and aquatic resources.

Republic Act No. 10654 (2015)

An amendment to RA 8550 that strengthens regulations on fisheries management, aquaculture practices, and sustainability to align Philippine fisheries laws with international standards.

Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997 (AFMA / Republic Act No. 8435)

A law promoting the modernization and commercialization of agriculture and fisheries to ensure food security, poverty alleviation, global competitiveness, and sustainable development.

Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160)

A law empowering local government units (LGUs) to regulate, manage, and support fish raising and aquaculture activities within their jurisdictions.

Department of Agriculture (DA)

The government agency promoting agricultural growth and development by providing policy frameworks, public investments, accreditation, licensing, registration, and marketing assistance.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)

An agency under the Department of Agriculture responsible for the development and sustainable use of fishery and aquatic resources, fish hatchery operations, law enforcement, fry distribution, and training.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

The government agency ensuring aquaculture operations comply with environmental laws and standards, while overseeing natural resources such as mangroves and coral reefs used for fish breeding.

WorldFish Philippines

An international organization active in the Philippines that works to improve aquaculture productivity, sustainable fish farming practices, and food security for small-scale fish farmers.

Haribon Foundation

A Philippine-based nongovernmental organization focused on biodiversity conservation, environmental protection, and biodiversity-friendly aquaculture practices.

Robert Jose Patines

A fish raiser from Cagayan Valley who trained under BFAR, advocated androgenic sex reversal in tilapia hatcheries, and received the Gawad Saka and Fish for Every Filipino awards.

Androgenic Sex Reversal

The process of converting female fry into functional males to control the female population and achieve higher yields, preferred because male tilapia grow faster than female tilapia.

Vicente B. Lugagay

A retired teacher from Brgy. Rizal, Santiago City, Isabela who won the Gawad Saka award for introducing organic tilapia culture using natural feeds such as chicken manure, azolla, and duckweed.

Jean Gonzales

A former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who owns Jam Dynasty Fish Farm, managing a 30-hectare fishpond in Pampanga and Bataan that produces tons of milkfish annually.

Joel Sims

The owner of ISDA Farm Inc. in Valenzuela who introduced green catfish farming in Bulacan and pioneered urban aquaculture using tanks and DIY filtration systems.

Mike Go

An entrepreneur who turned an ornamental fish hobby into a commercial business, specializing in breeding high-quality goldfish varieties and rare species for domestic and export markets.

Audie Lim

A model fish farmer in Mindanao who utilizes sustainable polyculture and organic methods to raise milkfish, tilapia, and catfish.

Polyculture

The aquaculture practice of integrating two or more fish species with different feeding habits in a single pond (such as surface-feeding tilapia and bottom-feeding catfish) to increase yields and lower fertilizer use.