Tigbauan: The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) on Thursday inaugurated three hatchery facilities at its Tigbauan, Iloilo, complex to strengthen aquaculture research, innovation, and production in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia.
According to Philippines News Agency, the new facilities include a whiteleg shrimp hatchery and grow-out facility, a giant freshwater prawn hatchery, and a mangrove crab hatchery. Agriculture Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate emphasized that these facilities represent strategic investments designed to address the evolving needs of the aquaculture industry. Bayate, who also serves as the Philippines' council director to SEAFDEC, highlighted that the hatcheries will act as centers for research and innovation, advancing breeding techniques, aquatic animal health, biosecurity, and science-based technologies.
Bayate further noted that the facilities will serve as training hubs for hatchery operators, fish farmers, extension workers, researchers, students, and local government personnel to strengthen technical skills and encourage the adoption of modern aquaculture practices. She mentioned that the Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, will maintain close collaboration with SEAFDEC/AQD and other stakeholders.
SEAFDEC/AQD Chief Dan Baliao detailed that the whiteleg shrimp hatchery is designed to produce 18 million Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae annually, with its six large circular concrete tanks expected to yield 36 metric tons of shrimp each year. The giant freshwater prawn hatchery, which focuses on the native "ulang," is projected to generate 2.4 million postlarvae annually, while the mangrove crab hatchery is expected to produce 1.5 million crab instars per year.
Baliao expressed the importance of increasing the production of ulang, a promising native commodity, noting the current inconsistency in seed stock supply. He stated that the new facility's projected production of 2.4 million postlarvae annually is anticipated to boost the country's overall production.
Since April, SEAFDEC/AQD has rehabilitated or built nine facilities, with the three new hatcheries coinciding with the agency's 53rd anniversary. These developments are expected to further enhance the center's aquaculture research and development capabilities. Baliao remarked that the significant investment in constructing these facilities is justified if it stimulates aquaculture development in the country and across Southeast Asia.
The center allocated PHP50 million for the whiteleg shrimp hatchery and grow-out facility, PHP12 million for the giant freshwater prawn hatchery, and PHP25 million for the mangrove crab hatchery. Baliao affirmed SEAFDEC/AQD's commitment to continue investing in facilities that support food security in the Philippines and the region.
