The Philippine milkfish industry has been dependent on the importation of juveniles for grow-out ever since the decline of wild fry catch and with inadequate supply from local hatcheries. However, self-sufficiency is required to address recent global uncertainties. Value chain analysis of the upstream stages of the milkfish aquaculture pathway reveals options for efficient utilization of coastal aquaculture resources, capital investments and workforce. This paper presents a value chain that starts in an integrated breeding and hatchery (IBH) facility that will produce the required juveniles to yield 7.7 thousand mt milkfish valued at PHP 692 million per year (1 USD = 50 PHP). The number of IBH needed annually were determined, such that the country should have 60 IBH in 2030 to produce 448 thousand mt milkfish worth PHP 61 billion for its 128 million projected population. Economic analysis showed that public-private partnership should fund high-investment but low-profit IBH, while private investors should operate profit-earning hatcheries, nurseries and 4-cage mariculture system to secure the milkfish industry.

This publication gives an account of research and development activities conducted during the past 20 years at SEAFDEC/AQD. The following topics are covered: establishment; organization; stations and project sites; manpower support; technology generation; technology transfer; technical cooperation; and, financial matters.

The report describes the activities of the Center during the year 1989 regarding the various research studies conducted, and the training, extension, and information services provided.

As aquaculture in Southeast Asia rapidly grows, it is being confronted with incidences of aquatic animal diseases threatening its sustainability. In early 2013, the SEAFDEC Member Countries raised concerns regarding the outbreaks of acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND), one of the causative agents of early mortality syndrome (EMS), that affected the shrimp industry of the region, specifically in Viet Nam, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines that led to low production and significant economic losses. In addressing such concerns, the SEAFDEC Council of Directors during its Meeting in 2014, suggested that health management, particularly the control and prevention of transboundary aquatic animal diseases, should be included in the future programs of the Aquaculture Department (AQD) of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). The pressing situation on AHPND in cultured shrimp in the region prompted SEAFDEC/AQD to seek financial support to fund a consultative meeting that would assess the occurrence of EMS/AHPND and other emerging diseases in farmed shrimps in the ASEAN Member States (AMSs). In response, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) collaborated with SEAFDEC/AQD and agreed to co-host the said consultative meeting, while the Government of Japan committed to fund the meeting through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF). Thus, the Regional Technical Consultation (RTC) on EMS/AHPND and Other Transboundary Diseases for Improved Aquatic Animal Health in Southeast Asia was organized on 22-24 February 2016 in Makati City, Philippines. While assessing the status of EMS/AHPND and other emerging diseases in farmed shrimps, the RTC identified the gaps and priority areas for R&D and potential collaboration, and formulated the regional policy recommendations that centered on emergency preparedness and response systems (EPRS) through early warning, detection and response, for effective management of aquatic animal disease outbreaks in the region. The recommended EPRS comprises contingency planning arrangements that minimize the impacts of serious aquatic animal disease outbreaks through containment, i.e. prevention of further spread or eradication of the diseases whether at regional, national, or farm levels. Thus, establishing a harmonized aquatic EPRS among the AMSs was recognized as a top priority warranting a solid platform for effective and expeditious decision-making with clearly defined responsibilities and authority.

The emergence of diseases such as Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease and White Spot Syndrome has compelled researchers in shrimp aquaculture to develop more innovative methods in improving shrimp health management for the prevention of diseases. One of these methods involves the use of immunostimulants, which enhance the innate immunity of shrimp. Polysaccharides extracted from red seaweeds such as Gracilariopsis heteroclada, locally known as “Gulaman”, present a great source of immunostimulants. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate Gracilariopsis heteroclada as an immunostimulant for Litopenaeus vannamei, or Pacific white shrimp. Hot-water extracts of Gracilariopsis heteroclada were administered through immersion. Results showed no significant changes in total haemocyte count, ambiguous fluctuations in phenoloxidase activity, and a late temporary increase in respiratory burst activity. Overall, these indicate a lack of significant immunostimulation in Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles when immersed in Gracilariopsis heteroclada hot-water extract.

The Aquaculture Department of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC/AQD) has been promoting a number of programs towards effective dissemination and adoption of science-based aquaculture technologies for rural aquaculture development. This is in line with the national government development program on sustainable aquaculture, which is implemented in agreement with the country’s Fisheries Code of 1998 and Local Government Code of 1991. SEAFDEC AQD, through its Binangonan Freshwater Station (BFS), offers extension services and training courses on freshwater aquaculture. Also, AQD has been providing technical support to other countries through a series of regional trainings on freshwater aquaculture to facilitate the dissemination of aquaculture technologies and to capacitate the various stakeholders on this aspect. Aside from training activities, AQD established the Agree-Build-Operate-Transfer (ABOT) AquaNegosyo program which caters to private investors. In this program, AQD assists fish farmers from site selection, design and construction of facilities and monitoring of production run until harvest. Another program is called the Institutional Capacity Development for Sustainable Aquaculture (ICDSA) which aims to establish partnerships and build the capacities of local government units (LGUs), community-based organization and non-government organizations (NGOs), fishery schools and other local institutions. This is through training and information dissemination, on-farm demonstration and on-site consultations on fish culture. AQD continues to carry out research and development (R&D) activities on various commodities and disciplines. One of the R&D programs developed by AQD is the “Meeting Social and Economic Challenges in Aquaculture Program” or MSECAP. This program aims to develop and implement social and economic strategies in aquaculture and resource management for food security and poverty alleviation in rural communities (Salayo et al. 2012). The five-year targets (2012-2016) of the MSECAP are directed on the implementation of R&D activities which include the (1) promotion of aquaculture technologies in inland and coastal communities through verification and on-site demonstration activities and (2) the development of appropriate technology adoption pathways for aquaculture technologies, among others (Salayo et al., 2012).

The report describes activities conducted by the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department during the year 1987. Research studies included breeding, farming systems, feed development and fish health. Training, extension services, information, administration facilities, pictorials and other activities are detailed.

The 1985 annual report presents an overview of the SEAFDEC activities. Findings and indications from completed and ongoing studies are reported. Training and extension, administration, and institutional linkages are also covered.