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  Promotion of sustainable aquaculture and aquatic animal health in Southeast Asia: Proceedings of the international workshop on the promotion of sustainable aquaculture and aquatic animal health in Southeast Asia, 12–14 March 2025, Iloilo City, Philippines 

  de la Peña, Leobert D.; Huervana, Joana Joy D.; Aya, Frolan; Altamirano, Jon; Amar, Edgar (Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, 2026-07)

  This volume contains the proceedings of the International Workshop on the Promotion of Sustainable Aquaculture and Aquatic Animal Health in Southeast Asia (SAHSEA). Convened by the Aquaculture Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/AQD) with support from the Government of Japan Trust Fund (JTF), the workshop serves as a key milestone reviewing regional progress and mapping future collaborative strategies. The publication compiles country reports from SEAFDEC member nations alongside research presentations detailing status reports, emerging challenges, and technological interventions in tropical aquaculture. Key thematic areas covered include seed supply stabilization, broodstock and larval quality management, cost-efficient aquafeed development, biosecurity protocols, transboundary aquatic animal disease surveillance, and community-based sustainable production systems. Synthesizing regional expert insights and policy recommendations, this document aims to guide scientists, aquaculture practitioners, and policymakers toward building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable aquatic food systems in Southeast Asia.
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  Series: Aquaculture Extension Manual; No. 80

  On-farm aquafeed production for small-scale freshwater aquaculture 

  Aya, Frolan ; Romana-Eguia, Maria Rowena R. ; Cuvin-Aralar, Maria Lourdes (Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, 2026-07)

  With the increasing demand for food fish as the primary source of dietary protein, some aquaculture practices have shifted from traditional to semi-intensive or intensive system, requiring the use of feeds for successful growth of aquaculture. Alone, feeds are considered as a costly input in aquaculture, comprising over 50 % of the total operating costs. Most, if not all farms in the country, are relying on commercial feeds which are either imported or locally produced. For many years, locally available materials have been studied for their potential as alternative protein sources or feed additives in fish feeds. Utilization of these alternative or non-conventional feed sources with little or no use as human food may provide reasonable options in feed formulation. In the Philippines, there is a potential for fish farmers to develop and utilize local feedstuff resources to manufacture their own feeds. However, limited information on nutrient requirements of fish species, available feed ingredients and their nutritional value, processing techniques, and the preparation of farm-made feeds are available to the small-scale farmers. Given the rising cost of feeds, it is important to provide small scale farm operators, the option to make their own feeds. This manual is written for fish farmers engaged in small-scale freshwater fish culture, particularly during grow-out. It intends to provide information on the components of fish feed, indigenous or locally sourced ingredients for feeds and their processing techniques, and ultimately to assist the small-scale fish farmers in using modest equipment to make farm- made feeds to feed their stocks.
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  Series: Aquaculture Extension Manual; No. 79

  Land-based production of Kappaphycus alvarezii through micropropagation 

  Sollesta-Pitogo, Hananiah; Faisan, Jr. ; Samson, Edcel Jed D.; de la Peña, Leobert D.; Dayrit, Rheniel; Mamauag, Roger Edward ; Espino, Marinelle (Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, 2026-07)

  This manual provides a comprehensive guide on establishing and operating Kappaphycus alvarezii tissue-culture propagule production. It covers the complete workflow from site selection and facility layout to biosecurity protocols, laboratory culture procedures, tank acclimatization, packing and transport to sea‐based nurseries. This manual is intended for personnel of seaweed micropropagation technology adopters, such as those operated by the government agencies, research and academic institutions, private sector, and trainers supporting capacity‐building initiatives in seaweed farming and seedstock production.
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  Series: Aquaculture Extension Manual; No. 16

  Diseases of farmed shrimps in the Philippines 

  de la Peña, Leobert D.; Tendencia, Eleonor ; Amar, Edgar ; Faisan, Jr., Joseph ; Pagador, Gregoria E.; Naluaran, Lovelyn Marie ; Moquera, Germin L.; Nava, Joseph Keith Paulo ; Castellano, Jose Louis A.; Catedral, Demy D.; Gonzaga, Josette; Dumaran-Paciente, Haydee Rose; Peniero, Ma. Maila S. (Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, 2026-07)

  The third edition of Diseases of Farmed Shrimps in the Philippines serves as an updated and comprehensive reference manual on the major infectious, parasitic, nutritional, toxic, and environmental diseases affecting farmed shrimps in the Philippines. Building upon the previous editions published by the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department, this revised edition reflects the significant developments in shrimp aquaculture over the past two decades, including the emergence and spread of new pathogens, evolving disease patterns, and advances in diagnostic and biosecurity approaches. The manual provides practical, science-based information for shrimp farmers, aquaculture technicians, fish health specialists, researchers, extension workers, students, and regulatory agencies involved in shrimp health management and sustainable aquaculture production. It presents updated descriptions of diseases affecting cultured shrimps, including viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and non-infectious conditions observed in hatchery, nursery, and grow-out systems. Each disease chapter contains concise, standardized information on the common and scientific names of the disease agents, susceptible life stages, prevalence, mortality, clinical and gross signs at both the pond and animal levels, histopathological features, and recommended prevention and control measures. The manual also incorporates updated diagnostic images, photomicrographs, and field observations to aid in disease recognition and laboratory confirmation. Through this updated manual, the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department aims to support the continued development of the Philippine shrimp industry by providing an accessible, practical, and scientifically grounded reference that promotes improved aquatic animal health management, enhanced farm productivity, and responsible aquaculture practices.
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  Are hatchery-bred sandfish Holothuria scabra juveniles perceptive to potential food and predation? 

  Noran-Baylon, Roselyn ; Altamirano, Jon ; Santander - de Leon, Sheila Mae ; Gamboa, Ruth ; Monteclaro, Harold (EDP Sciences, 2026-06-29)

  Restocking and mariculture of hatchery-bred sandfish Holothuria scabra are practiced in some countries to restore depleting wild populations and increase the global dried trepang or beche-de-mer supply. However, releasing cultured juveniles into the wild often results in slow growth and high predation mortalities, which may be related to their ontogenetic level of chemosensory ability to detect food and avoid predators. In a series of experiments using two-chambered aquaria, this study examined the preference responses (e.g., attraction, avoidance, or stationary) of hatchery-bred sandfish juveniles when presented with odors from predators (crab and fish), food (periphyton and formulated feed), combinations of odors, or the absence of odors (i.e., seawater only). Two groups were tested: small-sized sandfish (3–5 g, 4 months old) and medium-sized sandfish (15–20 g, 7 months old). Results showed that sandfish, overall, exhibited the lowest preference for predator odors, tending to remain stationary or select chambers either with seawater only or with food odors. When presented with conflicting predator and food odors, sandfish (particularly the small-sized group) showed a pronounced preference to be stationary, instead of being attracted to or avoiding any chemical odors. These results indicate that sandfish juveniles can detect and discriminate among chemical odors, with responsiveness and behavioral patterns varying across ontogenetic stages, sizes, and rearing histories. These findings provide essential insights that may improve husbandry protocols and optimize sandfish productivity in aquaculture or restocking operations.

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