A plan to transform this coastal town into “the fishing capital of the Pacific” gained momentum Friday after the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) signed an agreement to develop salt, seaweed, and hatchery projects within the ecozone.

Under the agreement, APECO and BFAR will undertake several key initiatives:

• Construct a PHP10 million artisanal salt facility on a one-hectare inland site in Barangay Cozo. This project is expected to create about 30 jobs and produce premium salt for local and export markets;
• Establish commercial seaweed farms across three northern bays – Diniog, Dalugan, and Cozo – each covering up to one hectare and equipped with on-site drying infrastructure;
• Develop a PHP40 million to PHP50 million marine hatchery capable of year-round fingerling production to supply aquaculture ventures in and beyond Casiguran; and
• Deploy a vessel monitoring system (VMS) along the Eastern Seaboard and the Philippine Rise. This system will enhance maritime surveillance and inform future port development.

“By working together on key projects, we are laying the foundation for sustainable livelihoods and stronger food security,” APECO president Gil Taway IV said during the signing ceremony at the APECO Administration Building in Barangay Esteves.

BFAR 3 (Central Luzon) Director Wilfredo M. Cruz described the partnership as a “long-overdue alignment” that positions the region for genuine, sustainable growth.

Immediately after the signing, both agencies conducted a sea trial of the Doña Aurora monitoring vessel, an early step toward the planned VMS rollout.

The salt, seaweed, and hatchery projects are all planned for Parcel 2 of the ecozone, an area spanning more than 1,000 hectares on Casiguran’s northeastern coast. Officials expect construction to begin later this year once feasibility and environmental studies are completed.

Cruz noted that with its extensive coastline, deep water access, and expanding transport links, Casiguran is a future hub for marine-based investments. (PNA)