FOR MORE FISH AND JOBS. The newly launched Masbate City Mariculture Park established by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in partnership with the City Government is envisioned to provide a sustainable, profitable, and environment-friendly source of livelihood for the fisherfolk through fish farming of high-value fishes and aquatic products such as grouper, siganid, bangus, seaweeds, sea urchin and lobster. The 200-hectare Mariculture Park is strategically located in Masbate Bay near the commercial and fish ports of the city available for small, medium and large scale investments. Demo fish cages (top photo) were installed at the Fish Complex during the launching activities for the ceremonial stocking of fingerlings (right bottom photos) while a Mariculture Development Plan was unveiled to provide basic information about the project. BFAR and LGU officials headed by BFAR-Bicol Assistant Regional Director Marjurie B. Grutas and Mayor Socrates M. Tuason led the said event. Other key officials and personnel from BFAR and the LGU as well as investors, fisherfolk, and local media were also present during the launching. The Masbate City Mariculture Park is the 5th to be established in Bicol region. The other mariculture sites are in Sagñay and Ragay in Camarines Sur; Magallanes, Sorsogon and Bacon, Sorsogon City. (rcanabe)