Another batch of personnel from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) trained at SEAFDEC/AQD on milkfish aquaculture from 17 to 28 March 2025 as part of the Philippines’ push to boost local production. The 12-day program gathered 14 personnel from various BFAR offices and facilities, including the Central Office and regional offices from Regions 3 (Central Luzon), 10 (Northern Mindanao), 11 (Davao), 12 (Soccsksargen), and 13 (Caraga). At the opening program, BFAR-3 Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz emphasized the importance of a skilled workforce to support the National Bangus Development Program (NBDP) of the Philippines. “With this training, I hope we can reach our target and make the country self-sufficient in fry production,” he told the trainees. Intensive training …

SEAFDEC/AQD, an intergovernmental organization promoting sustainable aquaculture across Southeast Asia, welcomed Dr. Takahiro Sajiki as its new Deputy Chief.

AQD inaugurated its new Black Tiger Shrimp Broodstock Facility in Tigbauan Iloilo on 3 July 2023. It was built to reduce reliance on wild shrimp spawners that often carry diseases which are then passed on to their eggs and larvae.

A prized jewel lies hidden beneath the shimmering and pristine waters of Molocaboc Island, the donkey’s-ear abalone, a kind of marine snail known for its unique shell form that resembles the ear of a donkey.

Garlic works with tilapia not only as a culinary ingredient, but also as a treatment for fish health problems in the farm.

SEAFDEC scientist Dr. Frolan Aya conducted a study to understand the early development of climbing perch (Anabas testudineus), a tropical freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia.

Dan Baliao’s term as SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department (AQD) chief has been extended for another two years following his reappointment by SEAFDEC Secretary-General Ms. Malinee Smithrithee.

A study was recently published on how much histidine, an amino acid that helps build and repair tissues, is needed in the diet of snubnose pompano.

The article identifies the main constraints and opportunities for mollusc aquaculture development in the Philippines.

A recently published paper reviews the most common and emerging bacterial diseases of tilapia, their zoonotic potential (to infect humans), and risk of antimicrobial resistance.

A recently sequenced bacterial strain that was isolated from tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) in the Philippines was found to have genes that can make it resistant to multiple antibiotics and heavy metals.

Researchers tested if giving polychaete mud worms to shrimp along with other foods would affect their reproduction and larval quality.

Farmers often sort fish by size to reduce competition and make them grow more evenly. SEAFDEC/AQD Scientist Dr. Frolan Aya tested if the method, known as size grading, works for yellow Pacific shortfin eel (Anguilla bicolor pacifica).

In a tank facility, abalone were fed three diets: seaweed, formulated diet, and a mix of both. After 10 months, the results were clear. Abalone-fed mixed diets came out on top, having the highest mean shell length and body weight.

Harvesting algae using electricity was tested at different voltage settings to find the ideal voltage to produce the best quality microalgae paste.

Eel aquaculture is an important activity in Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Philippines, and Viet Nam. With the decline in the wild fishery stock of cold-water eel species there has been an increasing interest in the culture of tropical eel species as an export commodity.

Despite its proven culinary and aquaculture value worldwide, pompano is yet to take off in the Philippines. Regardless, SEAFDEC/AQD is bent on promoting the pompano as the next big thing in Philippine aquaculture.

Seeing the tremendous potential in slipper lobster production, researchers at SEAFDEC/AQD embarked on the task of developing hatchery techniques in the Philippines.

In a world’s first, researchers successfully spawned the round scad Decapterus macrosoma in captivity at SEAFDEC/AQD in Tigbauan, Iloilo, marking a critical milestone towards farming the fish, locally known as galunggong.

Automated fish farming run by sensors, artificial intelligence, and powered by the internet and big data is seen to be the next frontier in sustainable production to meet the future demand for seafood.