SEAFDEC/AQD Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center | Aquaculture Department
By Development Communication Section
On the rainy morning of July 10, the SEAFDEC/AQD community, guests and well-wishers gathered to celebrate AQD’s 42nd founding anniversary.
SEAFDEC/AQD Chief Dr. Felix Ayson, acknowledged the significant contribution of the department on increasing aquaculture production in the region. “We started with shrimp and milkfish. Currently, SEAFDEC/AQD is refining technologies on mud crab, abalone, shrimp and oyster in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) and University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV),” said Dr. Ayson.
He also mentioned that SEAFDEC/AQD is now making efforts to address the impact of global warming on reproduction and early development of some important aquaculture species. He noted that topic about climate change is now added in the curriculum of the training courses.
Moreover, to address issues on aquaculture feed development he cited that SEAFDEC/AQD worked together with SEAFDEC Secretariat in Thailand and the Department of Fisheries in Myanmar, and the ASEAN Foundation to convene the regional technical consultation on the use of alternative ingredients in aquaculture feed formulation last September 2014.
“It has been one of the priority programs of SEAFDEC/AQD to promote community-based or family participation in both aquaculture and resource enhancement activities. We are happy to say that these projects are supported by the Government of Japan trust fund (GOJ-TF), Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) and Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN),” he added.
How can we ensure sustainable aquaculture? Dr. Ayson emphasized that we need the cooperation of all sectors. “The scientific community, the government of ASEAN member states and in the case of the Philippines, all government agencies, the farmers and the private sectors need to work hand in hand to achieve these objectives,” said the Chief.
Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Hajime Kawamura commended AQD’s effort in involving various stakeholders in its R&D activities. He also praised AQD for having the vision to become a global leader in generation and transfer of appropriate and sustainable tropical aquaculture technologies for food security and holistic human development. “We at SEAFDEC Secretariat are always ready to boost and support AQD’s efforts. We are very sure that AQD could easily attain this goal and we wish you all the best of luck in this endeavor,” said Mr. Kawamura.
“I would like to thank SEAFDEC/AQD for being a faithful and dedicated partner,” said Engr. Ma. Teresa de Guzman of DOST-PCAARRD. She expressed her gratitude to AQD for the guidance and help in promoting technological innovations and good aquaculture practices. Likewise, she wished to see this partnership expand to a lot of other areas and commodities in order to rule out in the country. “This partnership is driving us to the forefront of aquaculture,” she added.
Deputy Chief Dr. Takuro Shibuno concluded the program with the call for everyone to continue to do their share in helping to improve aquaculture technologies for fish farmers not only here in the Philippines but also in other Southeast Asian countries.
Happy 42nd, AQD!
