CFOS-IA shares expertise to milkfish sector in Zamboanga del Norte

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Faculty members of the Institute of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS-IA) provided technical assistance towards sustainable milkfish industry in Zamboanga del Norte province.

Prof. Dr. Rex Ferdinand M. Traifalgar and Mr. Fredson Huervana, director and public service coordinator of IA, respectively, spearheaded the consultative dialogue with the industry stakeholders to address pressing issues confronting the milkfish industry in the said province on July 17-18, 2023.

About 25 participants from the Bangus Fish Cage Growers, Operators, and Farmers Association of Sibutad, Zamboanga del Norte, Dipolog School of Fisheries, and Department of Science and Technology Region IX (DOST-IX), through its Provincial S & T Office- Zamboanga del Norte (PSTO-ZDN), took part in the discussion.

Organized by the PSTO-ZDN, the consultative dialogue aimed to explore various interventions to alleviate the industry’s concerns on the escalating cost of commercial feeds in order to maximize earnings among milkfish growers and operators while fostering a sustainable milkfish industry in the province.

DOST-IX Regional Director Martin A. Wee and PSTO-ZDN Director Mr. Nuh M. Aljani sought the assistance and support of CFOS-IA on its plan of establishing a milkfish feeds production facility. The regional agency has been supporting in the improvement of the operations of milkfish industry in the said province through the implementation of the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

Traifalgar and Huervana presented potential feed production technologies as viable alternatives to costly commercial feeds. The team also offered practical advice on how to effectively manage the existing fish cages operation of the milkfish fish cage growers, operators, and farmers.

In addition, they gave recommendations for the successful operation of the DOST-funded milkfish broodstock and hatchery facility at the Dipolog School of Fisheries, a project aimed at solving the scarcity of milkfish fry and fingerlings in Zamboanga del Norte. The experts likewise expressed their willingness to help the province in the transport of milkfish broodstock, hatchery rearing of fry, and fingerling production. (Ms. Lenilyn B. Gallos; With sources from CFOS-IA)