Being a scientist was never part of his career plan, but this young researcher is already making waves in aquaculture research with his award-winning study on the giant grouper, a “threatened” fish locally known as lapu-lapu. Peter Palma and his team recently bagged the prestigious Dr. Elvira O. Tan Awards – Outstanding Published Paper in the Aquatic Science Category for their paper that studied the sexual development of the hermaphrodite fish and debunked presumed norms on the origin of the male giant grouper. Their paper titled “Reproductive development of the threatened giant grouper Epinephelus lanceolatus,” published in the Aquaculture Journal last July 2019, presented evidence that male giant grouper do not need to pass through a female stage at an earlier …
Read More »Disease-afflicted PH seaweed farms see hope with help of scientists
Seaweed farming, a multi-million dollar export industry in the Philippines, is at the centerpiece of a worldwide effort by scientists to better address the outbreak of diseases and pests that are plaguing the farms. With an estimated 116,000 families in the country reliant on seaweed farming, SEAFDEC/AQD as part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – Global Challenge Research Fund (GCRF) GlobalSeaweedStar Project, is working to better understand outbreaks of “ice-ice” disease and epiphyte infestations in farms which have inflicted losses worth as much as 15 percent of the total seaweed production. According to Joseph Faisan, Jr. an associate researcher at SEAFDEC/AQD, “ice-ice” disease (IID) outbreaks are caused by extreme environmental conditions (temperature, salinity, pH, siltation) and are characterized …
Read More »Japanese conservation biologist is new deputy chief of SEAFDEC/AQD
The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), a regional treaty organization that promotes sustainable fisheries among its 11 member countries, welcomed the new deputy chief of its Aquaculture Department (AQD) based in Iloilo last Oct. 20, 2020. Dr. Sayaka Ito, a Japanese scientist with expertise in aquatic conservation biology, replaced fellow Japanese Dr. Koh-ichiro Mori who served as the Deputy Chief from April 2018 to June 2020 in this organization that is mandated to conduct scientific research to generate aquaculture technologies, develop skilled manpower for the aquaculture sector, and disseminate aquaculture information. Upon endorsement by the Government of Japan, SEAFDEC Secretary-General Malinee Smithrithee appointed Dr. Ito to a 2-year term from Oct. 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2022 wherein …
Read More »Seahorses get second life with SEAFDEC and NegOc islanders’ help
The coral reefs north of Negros Island are once more teeming with seahorses after a seven-year partnership between researchers and the local island community successfully protected and replenished their wild population. At Molocaboc Island in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, divers assisted in scientific surveys of seahorse populations, technicians maintained seahorse breeding facilities, the local government’s Bantay Dagat (sea patrol) enforced protection, and schools gladly embraced information and educations campaigns. The island is within the Sagay Marine Reserve, a marine protected area chosen as the project site of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) to protect and revive the dwindling population of the tiger tail seahorse (Hippocampus comes). During assessments done from 2012 to 2013, local divers …
Read More »From pollution to profit: Over P3-M of shrimp harvested from a hectare
By recycling excess nutrients that would otherwise have been released to the environment, a shrimp farm harvested almost 13 tons of shrimp worth P3.3 million (US$67,694) after just over 4 months of culture.
Read More »Aquafarmers hurt by lockdown woes; seek help to lower feed costs
Aquafarmers from Capiz province, dubbed “the seafood capital of the Philippines,” are feeling the sting of the pandemic as transport restrictions have driven down prices given the difficulties in distributing their milkfish, crab, and shrimp produce.
Read More »Mori completes term as SEAFDEC/AQD Deputy Chief
Dr. Koh-ichiro Mori wrapped up his stint as the outgoing Deputy Chief of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Aquaculture Department.
Read More »Fisheries center renews call for students to do research; use labs, services
Recognizing the importance of science and research for food security, the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Aquaculture Department encourages students to pursue research in aquaculture while opening the doors of its laboratory facilities.
Read More »Sandfish: expensive, endangered, and ecologically essential
Sandfish is one of the most threatened tropical sea cucumbers because of its high price, reaching up to $1,600 per kilogram (approximately P80,800) when processed and dried into trepang or beche-de-mer which are used in exotic Asian cuisine and medicinal products.
Read More »SEAFDEC upgrades feed mill to boost production of low-cost aquaculture feeds
The quest for low-cost and eco-friendly aquafeeds received a boost with the recent US$30,800 upgrade of the feed mill of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) in Tigbauan, Iloilo.
Read More »SEAFDEC reminds shrimp growers to avoid stocking ponds during cold months
To prevent the entry of shrimp diseases, shrimp farmers are advised not to stock their ponds during cold months if their farms are not biosecurity-compliant or fully equipped to prevent the entry of shrimp diseases.
Read More »High school teachers embark on research methodology training sponsored by Japan
To enhance the capacity of local high school science teachers, a training on research methodology and technical writing was organized with funding support from the Government of Japan.
Read More »Popularity of mangrove crabs spurs various training on crab hatchery, nursery, and grow-out
Due to the growing popularity of mangrove crab as an aquaculture commodity, SEAFDEC/AQD conducted several training courses on mangrove crab culture.
Read More »Cost of hatchery operations seen to go down via technology for algal paste production
An award-winning technology for algae harvesting is now available in the Philippines, boosting efforts to reduce the cost of producing fish fry in hatcheries through the use of algal paste.
Read More »Fish farmers, private sector, get important aquaculture updates
As part of SEAFDEC/AQD’s anniversary celebrations, a Farmers’ Forum and Aquaculture Clinic were held for fish farmers and the private sector on 10 July 2019 at SEAFDEC/AQD’s Multi-Purpose Hall in Tigbauan, Iloilo from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Read More »Fijians choose SEAFDEC/AQD as training ground for sandfish culture
Three Fijians searched the world over and found the platform they needed for learning the culture of the prized commodity at SEAFDEC/AQD in Iloilo, Philippines.
Read More »Partnership inked for resource enhancement project at Lahuy Island
The Partido State University partnered with SEAFDEC/AQD for the implementation of a resource enhancement project at the Lahuy Group of Islands.
Read More »Alternative feed ingredients to reduce aquaculture’s dependence on wild fish
The need for alternative feed ingredients is underlined by the rising cost of fish meal and fish oil. Feeds can account for over 50% of the production cost in fish farms.
Read More »SEAFDEC and BFAR begin on-site training in Cotabato
SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources conducted an on-site training on freshwater aquaculture in Kabacan, Cotabato last 25-28 February 2019.
Read More »Participants from SEAFDEC member countries finish freshwater aquaculture training
With the need to promote and disseminate freshwater aquaculture technologies within the community, SEAFDEC/AQD initiated and has been conducting an international training course on “Community-Based Freshwater Aquaculture (CBFWA)” since 2007 with funding support from the Government of Japan – Trust Fund.
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