OVERALL REVIEW

SEAFDEC DEPARTMENTAL PROGRAMS OF ACTIVITYIES FOR THE YEAR 2007-2008

AQUACULTURE DEPARTMENT

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techniques and grow-out culture using mesh sea cages in a modular system. This also includes pilot testing of abalone hatchery technology in collaboration with a private sector.

With regard to the Small-holder Freshwater Aquaculture Programs, studies in 2007 focused on improving the seed production and grow-out technologies for commercially important freshwater commodities (tilapia, catfishes, carps and freshwater prawn). Experiment was done to compare the growth and survival performance of native catfish fry in hapa net cages with or without supplemental feeding. The reproductive performance and fry production of bighead carp in net cages installed in Laguna de Bay using different feeding regimes were also assessed.

An experiment aimed to improve the carcass traits in Nile tilapia through farm-based mass selection and interspecific hybridization was also continued. Concerning the freshwater prawn, studies were conducted to characterize genetically and morphometrically the hatchery stocks from Thailand and wild stocks from different sampling sites in the Philippines. To reduce the cost of giant freshwater prawn seedstock production, AQD has also conducted trials to develop stocks that are tolerant to low salinity. Initiation of the studies that will assess the bioeconomics of freshwater prawn hatchery production in different larval rearing systems has also been made.

The performance of different strains of M. rosenbergii during grow-out culture in lake based cages was also assessed. Survey to assess the social and economic impacts of aquaculture development in Laguna Lake was conducted and data are being analyzed.

Concerning the Seaweeds Program, activities were continued to produce ‘new’ and improved varieties of Kappaphycus through tissue culture, sporulation, and protoplast fusion techniques.

Growth experiment in concrete tanks was undertaken from spores .

In order to address the issues related to sustainability of the aquatic environment, AQD initiated in 2007 the program on the Aquatic Ecology. Preliminary assessment was made on the environmental capacity of Humaron Cove, Igang, Guimaras and Bugang River, Pandan, Antique; and the operations, catch volume, species composition, economic importance and ecological impact of the tangab fishery in Iloilo Strait (Western Visayas).

Apart from research and verification studies, significant efforts were also made to facilitate the transfer of viable technologies to various stakeholders through training and information dissemination. Activities comprised the conduct of international/local training and other institutional capacity building programs, participation of researchers in scientific conferences, various technology fora and exhibitions, and publication of information materials.

As of November 2007, AQD has conducted 17 formal training programs on various aspects of aquaculture and has trained over 200 participants, mainly government workers, private sector practitioners from the Philippines and representatives of partner countries from the ASEAN region. Apart from this, 156 students, mainly from the Philippines, and some foreign interns have also been trained during the year.

To enhance visibility locally and internationally and disseminate viable technologies, AQD participated in five exhibits/fairs in the Philippines which were organized as a complementary activity to industry or government-led congress. Apart from publication in peer-reviewed journals, AQD produced and disseminated five farmer-friendly how-to manuals on various commodities (giant clam, tilapia and seaweed), three flyers and nine large-format posters.

About 70 news articles on AQD or SEAFDEC have also appeared in the Philippine mass media.

AQD also published in-house information materials such as the AQD annual report (Highlights 2007), newsletter (AQD Matters) and contributed 8-10 news articles of SEAFDEC Newsletter which is circulated to SEAFDEC member-countries. Apart from publications, efforts were also made to improve the AQD website. During the year, this was updated six times and received an average of 877 to 2,298 web hits per month. The AQD Library served over 5,560 library users, both outsiders and from the AQD community. The Library also answered 22 queries from 13 countries and delivered 15 titles to outside users.

To ensure that many will benefit from products of AQD’s research, efforts were made to expand and enhance collaborations. As of November 2007, AQD has established new collaborative arrangements with 13 different stakeholder groups (i.e. government agencies, local government units, international organizations, private companies, private sector entrepreneurs).

Another activity that AQD has just embarked on and will cater to interested entrepreneurs in the Philippine aquaculture is the ABOT (Agree-Build-Operate-Transfer) AquaNegosyo. This initiative develops science-based aquaculture business packages that are suitable to the needs, interests and capacity of its clients. As part of this activity and to help support the government’s goal of increasing fish production through aquaculture, AQD held a 2-day AquaNegosyo Forum in October 2007 in Quezon City, Philippines. About 200 participants from the private and government sectors attended the Forum.

To ensure relevance of AQD’s work and position itself with respect to present and future environment and partners, in-house workshops were held to review the existing mandate, management operations, and work programs. The main outputs of these meetings are the revised mandate of AQD and a new Strategic Plan which sets forth the program of work for each Division from 2007 until 2010.

Most of the activities conducted in 2007 will be continued in 2008. The Departmental Programs for next year will comprise the following: (i) Marine Fish; (ii) Mud Crab and Shrimp; (iii) Mollusk; (iv) Seaweed; (v) Small holder Freshwater Aquaculture; and (vi) Aquatic Ecology.

The year 2008 is also expected to see significant progress in other R&D activities, specifically on ‘ABOT AquaNegosyo and Institutional Capacity Development on Sustainable Aquaculture’.

To facilitate the transfer of viable aquaculture technologies to various stakeholders groups in the Philippines and elsewhere in the ASEAN region, AQD will provide greater focus on verification and packaging of these technologies for uptake of various stakeholder groups.

2. LIST OF PROGRAMS

Departmental Programs Implemented by AQD in the year 2007:

a) Marine Fish

b) Mud Crab and Shrimp c) Mollusk

d) Small-holder Freshwater Aquaculture e) Seaweed

f) Aquatic Ecology

Proposed Departmental Programs of AQD for the year 2008:

a) Marine Fish

b) Mud Crab and Shrimp c) Mollusk

d) Small-holder Freshwater Aquaculture e) Seaweed

f) Aquatic Ecology

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PROGRAM DOCUMENT

Program Category: Departmental Program Program Title: Mollusk

Responsible Department: Aquaculture Department Duration of Program: Five years (2006-2010) 1. INTRODUCTION

In recent years, there was a fast decline in abalone production from the natural fishery of major abalone producing countries including the Philippines due to heavy exploitation of this resource.

The decreasing commercial catch and the high price of abalone both in the domestic and export markets have stimulated interests in the development of its aquaculture for commercial production and for restocking purposes to enhance its fishery resource.

To help address the needs of the aquaculture industry on abalone, the Mollusk Program of SEAFDEC/AQD focuses its work on tropical abalone, Haliotis asinina. AQD has been in the forefront of developing the technology for controlled hatchery seed production and culture of H.

asinina. Significant results have been achieved in terms of consistent spawning of captive broodstock year-round, improved larval settlement and survival due to improved techniques in large-scale production of diatoms as food for larvae resulting in increased early juvenile production.

In addition to abalone, studies on the biology and fishery as well as developing the hatchery seed production techniques of indigenous mollusk species such as the angelwing Pholas orientalis and sea cucumber Holothuria sp. are being conducted.

2. PROGRAM