Analytical Hierarchy Processing for Sustainable Intensive Caged Tilapia and Milkfish Cultivation Site Selection in the Philippines

Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and milkfish (Chanos chanos) are the highly consumed and the most commercially important fishes in the Philippines. Due to the industrialization of the country, numerous natural sites intended for rearing these fishes are affected by environmental emissions on top of climate change and the possibility of having an effective and sustainable production will decay in the long run. Also, each geographical region in the Philippines is differentially impacted by the weather system. In this study, analytical hierarchical processing (AHP) was employed in selecting the priority sites in Luzon Island, Philippines, for sustainable intensive caged tilapia and milkfish cultivation. Scientists, biologists, aquaculture engineers, urban planners, and academic researchers from both private and government agencies and institutions responded to the online survey. Based on the multi-criteria decision-making through AHP, water quality and hydrometeorology are the most significant determinants in selecting a site for aquaculture followed by sustainability, land features, and socioeconomic factors. Among the eight regions in Luzon Island, CALABARZON was considered as the priority site in cultivating tilapia and milkfish and the Ilocos Region is the last alternative. CALABARZON has the highest score in water supply and quality, soil quality, and vegetation that has a great potential to support aquaculture. Thus, AHP is confirmed to be an effective tool in site selection for aquaculture.