ILOILO CITY, Philippines – From 12–14 March 2025, government personnel, experts, and researchers from across Southeast Asia convened to tackle key challenges in aquaculture and strengthen regional collaboration.

The commercial production of pompano in the Philippines may not be as big as that of tilapia or milkfish, but it is developing. And with development comes challenges. There are increasing reports of sea lice infecting pompano grown in fish cages.

Three fisheries biologists from Thailand’s Department of Fisheries (DOF) enhanced their skills in milkfish aquaculture through a specialized training course at SEAFDEC/AQD held from 3 to 14 March 2025.

A study, led by SEAFDEC/AQD Scientist Dr. Leobert de la Peña, demonstrated the efficacy of probiotics and a disinfectant against two of the deadliest shrimp diseases: acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) and luminescent vibriosis.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR-BARMM) has partnered with SEAFDEC/AQD to train its extension workers and local fishers in marine fish farming from 24 to 28 February 2025.

March-April 2025Download here — File Size: 6.427 Mb Sea bass cultureThis brochure provides a practical guide to the hatchery, nursery, and grow-out culture of sea bass (Lates calcarifer), a high-value food fish cultivated in Southeast Asia. It outlines best practices for broodstock selection, induced spawning, larval rearing, and nursery management.Download here — File Size: 2.064 Mb January-February 2025Download here — File Size: 9.056 Mb Mangrove crab cultureThis brochure provides a comprehensive guide on the culture and farming of mangrove crabs (Scylla spp.), highlighting key aspects of hatchery, nursery, and grow-out operations.Download here — File Size: 2.582 Mb Giant freshwater prawn cultureThis brochure provides information on the culture of the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii), detailing hatchery, nursery, and grow-out operations.Download …

Vacancy: ASSOCIATE RESEARCHER (entry position; could be a RESEARCHER or SCIENTIST depending on the qualifications)  Assignment: Nutrition and Feed Development Section, Research Division in Tigbauan, Iloilo Qualifications: Masters or Doctorate Degree in Biological Sciences, Fisheries or related fields Monthly Gross Compensation: PHP 47,800.00 – PHP 111,770.00 depending on qualifications (educational attainment and Senior Authorship/s & Scientific Merit Point/s) Preferably: With at least one (1) scientific publication categorized under any Web of Science Core Collection journal citation indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), and Arts and Humanities Citation Index (A&HCI) as a senior or first author; With at least 1-2 years experience in aquaculture or fisheries research; and Dedicated and focused in work, trustworthy, goal-oriented, and with …

Seven participants completed the International Training Course on Community-Based Freshwater Aquaculture for Remote Rural Areas in Southeast Asia, held at SEAFDEC/AQD’s Binangonan Freshwater Station on 13-27 November 2024.

Choosing a mate can be a complicated matter to humans. Many factors such as looks, personality, or status always come into play. For the freshwater goby however, finding a mate seems quite simple for it seems to come down to a matter of size.

SEAFDEC/AQD’s collaboration with Philippine government agencies and its construction of new research infrastructure took the spotlight during the 31st Philippine Technical and Administrative Committee (PTAC) meeting held in Quezon City, Philippines on 19 November 2024.

SEAFDEC/AQD researchers found and demonstrated a groundbreaking way to grow seaweed faster than traditional methods by using lab-grown, tissue-cultured seedlings.

The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Aquaculture Department continues to expand its research complex in Tigbauan, Iloilo with the construction of three new aquaculture facilities including a feed mill, hatcheries, and grow-out tanks.

The course ran from 17 June to 23 July 2024. It was attended by four participants from the Philippines, two from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and one each from Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Cambodia.

An outbreak of WSSV has been recorded in the co-culture of sandfish and black tiger shrimp, which led the SEAFDEC/AQD fish health team to confirm whether sandfish can bioaccumulate WSSV.

The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) hosted the Regional Sea Cucumber Roadshow 2024 West Visayas Session on 13–14 June 2024 at Tigbauan Main Station in Iloilo, Philippines.

Twelve participants from six Southeast Asian countries completed the Training Course on Fish Nutrition and Feed Development, held from 20 to 27 May 2024.

A 15-day hands-on training course on Fish Health Management, offered by SEAFDEC/AQD, was held from 15–29 April 2024, drawing 12 participants from different Southeast Asian countries.

Have you ever tried intermittent fasting? While some people alternate periods of fasting and non-fasting for various health reasons, researchers from SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department have found a different application for intermittent fasting. Not for themselves but for eels.

While the El Niño phenomenon brings about a cascade of environmental changes, it also presents an opportunity for milkfish production.

BARBAZA, Antique – A new batch of wild mackerel tuna was transported by an international research organization to its facility in Tigbauan, Iloilo as part of its bid to create a tuna farming industry in the Philippines.