Updates from our former trainee

One of the trainees of our special courses on marine fish, shrimp, and seaweed farming that were simultaneously conducted in September of 2014 was Mr. Darrin Seeto.  He attended the seaweed farming component of the course and recently, he gave us an account of how he was able to apply all that he has learned from the course through the following letter:

Just wanted to give you an update with how things are going for me with seaweed. I have been able to successfully culture Gracilaria in 1.5 hectare pond. I am still working on being able to cultivate the Eucheuma cottonii.  I have been having problems with fish eating everything.  I am close to being able to fulfill my first order of Gracilaria.  I am just waiting for some lab results on the quality of the agar.  I am very grateful to you for the assistance you gave to me so that I was able to attend the class on seaweed farming last September.”

 Now that my Gracilaria is growing and I have a potential buyer (just waiting for lab results) and I already have expansion plans. I am looking into going into farming tilapia, with my brother-in-law, in high salinity water.  I am hoping you or someone at SEAFDEC might know someone who supplies this type of tilapia that can grow in high salinity water maybe around 23-30ppt. Our farm will be in the Pangasinan area.  Again, I am very appreciative of the assistance you have given to me. 

Thanks,
Darrin Seeto