Species composition of seaweed biofoulers in fish cage aquaculture in Bongao Channel, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines
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2025-12-29
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Abstract
The excessive growth of seaweeds (macroalgal biofouling) on submerged cage structures is a severe operational constraint for fish cage aquaculture in tropical environments. This study investigated the species composition of macroalgal biofouling growing on the submerged structures of the fish cage aquaculture in Bongao Channel, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines, via a qualitative survey (e.g., snorkeling around the cage systems). The primary objective was to provide a taxonomic inventory of the colonizing seaweed species to understand the biological makeup of the fouling community. Through morphological examination of the collected samples, a total of 26 species belonging to 16 distinct genera were identified, representing the three major algal divisions: Chlorophyta (green algae) exhibited the highest generic richness, including Boergesenia, Caulerpa, Chaetomorpha, Cladophora, Halimeda, Boodlea, and Ulva. Rhodophyta (red algae) were represented by Acanthophora, Actinotrichia, Chondrophycus, Yonagunia, Gracilaria, Hypnea, and Endosiphonia, while Ochrophyta (brown algae) included Padina and Sargassum. The presence of various taxa, particularly filamentous Chaetomorpha and stoloniferous Caulerpa, identifies these groups as the key structural components of the biofouling community on the cage nets. Additionally, the inventory recorded the occurrence of economically valuable red algae (e.g., Gracilaria and Hypnea) and ecologically significant brown algae (e.g., Sargassum) within the assemblage. These findings establish a critical taxonomic baseline, providing the essential species-level data required to develop targeted mitigation strategies and sustainable management practices for the floating cage aquaculture in Tawi-Tawi.
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Aquaculture Biofouling Macroalgae SeaweedsSuggested Citation
Bara, A., Jeva, M., Adjad, R., Arik, M., Somblingo, E., & Tahiluddin, A. B. (2025). Species composition of seaweed biofoulers in fish cage aquaculture in Bongao Channel, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. Journal of Biometry Studies , 5(2), 53-59. https://doi.org/10.61326/jofbs.v5i2.04
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