The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has scheduled a public scoping for the proposed shrimp farm expansion in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
A company notice posted on the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) website over the weekend indicated that public scoping or consultations will be held on August 6, 2025. The event will give the developer, Aqua Biological Industries Corp. (Aqua Bio), a chance to discuss the project overview with local residents, gather their issues and concerns, and collect other relevant information, the notice said.
Aqua Bio will invest P500 million to expand its shrimp farm on a leased and titled property spanning 39.4248 hectares, aiming to produce 250,000 kilograms of vannamei shrimp annually, the company stated.
The expansion project has been driven by the strong and sustained demand for shrimp, from both the local and global markets, Aqua Bio said.
The company first established a shrimp farm in the area in 2018 when it leased existing ponds from Aquamines Philippines Inc. The company notice, however, did not report its current annual production volume.
Prior to Aqua Bio’s lease of the land, the company said the ponds were first established in 1979 and cultivated milkfish, tilapia, and tiger prawns.
The company stated that the proposed shrimp farm expansion will directly address the growing demand for shrimp, contribute to food security, provide a reliable supply of high-quality shrimp, and create additional jobs for farm laborers, technical staff, administrative staff, and distribution personnel.
Aqua Bio added that the project will also generate income for the local community through taxes, and support ancillary industries such as feed suppliers, pond material suppliers, and construction supply providers. These benefits will be in addition to leveraging the country’s natural coastal resources in a controlled and productive manner through aquaculture, the company stated.
“By adopting modern and responsible farming practices, the proponent invested in the proposed project while upholding environmental stewardship, aligning with national development goals for sustainable aquaculture,” the company further said.
The proposed shrimp farm expansion has been located on private property, and no alternative location has been considered, as land development has already begun, according to Aqua Bio’s notice on the EMB website.
The site was also deliberately chosen for its “conduciveness to aquaculture ponds” as the area has been deemed feasible due to the availability of additional parcels of land adjacent to its operational area, Aqua Bio said.
There are no households or institutions near the shrimp farm expansion area, which is adjacent to its main water source, the Davao Gulf, and has been designated as an aquaculture zone, as confirmed by Aqua Bio.
