Two German consultants will assist Negros Occidental in coastal fisheries and organic aquaculture, Governor Joseph Marañon said yesterday.

Dr. Uwe Scholz, GTZ program adviser, will assist Negros Occidental in its Coastal Fisheries Resources Management, and Dr. Kai Kuhlmann, will help in the organic aquaculture program, the governor said.

The province was once a substantial producer of cultured shrimps. However, like all over South East Asia, a viral infection, the white spot disease, has led to a breakdown of the sector, a rationale on the German Development Assistance said.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources recently changed its national policy and allowed the culture of the Pacific White Shrimp, which is also cultured since many years in riparian countries. The policy change offers a chance for the aquaculture sector in Negros to start on an environmental friendly, sustainable basis, it said.

Next to shrimp culture, the production of organic bangus (milkfish) could be of relevance, as GTZ is at present testing the export potential of the species in close cooperation with the German Fishing Industry.

The DED consultants' work will be integrated into the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist in close cooperation with the GTZ supported Coastal Fisheries Resource Management Program, the Negros Prawn Producers Association and Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development.*

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