SEAFDEC/AQD had been invited to take part in two aquaculture gatherings.
The first one is “Taal Lake aquaculture forum” funded by the San Miguel Foods Inc (or B-MEG) on 4 October 2013 at Talisay, Batangas. The forum was co-organized by AQD with Department of Science and Technology (DOST) & the graduate school students of De La Salle University (DLSU). AQD and BMEG have been working closely with Taal fishfarmers, giving advice and conducting seminars on good aquaculture practices.
AQD scientists Dr. Ma. Rowena Eguia, Dr. Nerissa Salayo and Dr. Rolando Pakingking together with associate researcher Mr. Mark Nell Corpuz and technical coordinator Ms. Grace Gracia represented AQD. Dr. Pakingking and Dr. Eguia spoke on “Mga mikrobyo sa isda at sa tubig ng Lawa ng Taal at mga paraan ng pag-iwas sa pagdami at pamiminsala nito” (how to prevent damage from fish and water pathogens in Taal Lake) and “Ekolohiya ng Lawa ng Taal” (lake ecology), respectively.
The second function was the “5th BFAR-NFRDI (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute) scientific conference” from 14 to 15 October 2013 at the Manila Ocean Park, Manila.
Dr. Eguia and Dr. Salayo were invited as judges for the scientific paper presentations on aquaculture category and postharvest & social science category, respectively. Also, AQD Chief Dr. Felix Ayson was in attendance to present a plenary lecture on abalone aquaculture. According to Dr. Ayson, events like this provided AQD with the opportunity to support the activities of its partners like NFRDI because cooperation is vital. NFRDI in response appreciated the review and evaluation provided by AQD whose scientists/researchers have numerous papers published in science journals.