It’s but a matter of time before mariculture parks become fixtures in some selected coastal areas in the country. A program to set up such facilities has been set in motion by government instrumentalities to help boost aquaculture and fisheries development in the country. The first mariculture park in the country–and said to be the first in Asia–was established last year off Samal Island in Mindanao. Covering 200 hectares, a park is a venture initiated by the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the local government units, and supported by the government-hosted, Tigbauan-based Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC AQD).

Fernandez, R. A. (2002, February 24). Mariculture parks soon to be fixtures in RP's coastal areas. The Philippine Star, p. 28.