Investing in the future: SEAFDEC expanding aquaculture research complex with three new facilities

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By Nyra Armada & Rex Delsar Dianala

The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center-Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) continues to expand its research complex in Tigbauan, Iloilo with the construction of three new aquaculture facilities including a feed mill, hatcheries, and grow-out tanks.

Funded with PHP 26,800,000, largely from the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Office 6, the new medium-scale feed mill plant is set to produce 500 kilograms of cost-efficient feed per hour, translating to an annual output of 1,560 tons.

Currently, the project is 78% complete, with half of the equipment already delivered and installation underway.

“Once operational, this feed mill plant will help increase and sustain the aquaculture production of finfishes in ponds and cages in Region 6 through high-quality cost-efficient feeds,” said SEAFDEC/AQD Chief Dan Baliao.

Construction of the feed mill plant for cost-effective feeds started in September 2023, with SEAFDEC/AQD contributing PHP 250,000 as counterpart funding.

Bali sardine and shrimp hatcheries

In addition to the feed mill, SEAFDEC/AQD is constructing a hatchery dedicated to the production of Bali sardine, locally known as “tamban.” The PHP 4,330,196 project is part of a collaborative study with the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) aiming to domesticate the species.

Recognizing the relevance of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in the market, SEAFDEC/AQD is also establishing a hatchery and grow-out tanks to culture the shrimp. The project, valued at PHP 51,939,470, will significantly enhance SEAFDEC/AQD’s research on shrimp and production of the commodity.

A continued commitment

Baliao revealed that since 2017, SEAFDEC/AQD has added about 20,000 square meters of new broodstock facilities, hatcheries, reservoirs, water treatment tanks, and other support facilities within its 40-hectare complex in Tigbauan.

“When I assumed leadership, I pledged to maximize SEAFDEC/AQD’s potential in aquaculture production. These new facilities are a testament to that commitment to help us step-up our role in developing aquaculture in Southeast Asia,” he added.