SEAFDEC/AQD launches manual on tropical Anguillid eels culture

DR. MARIA Lourdes Aralar and her co-authors Dr. Frolan Aya, Dr. Maria Rowena Romana-Eguia and Dan Joseph Logronio launched their Manual on Nursery Culture of Tropical Anguillid eels in the Philippines at Crimson Hotel Alabang, Metro Manila on April 25, 2019.

The launching highlighted the workshop on Aquaculture of Tropical Anguillid eel in Southeast Asia funded by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

The technical publication includes nursery production of anguillid eels from glass eels to elver using data gathered from eight anguillideel farms in the Philippinesby Dr. Aralar.  Elver is a young freshwater eel that has migrated from saltwater, where it first develops by metamorphosis from a larva.

Rearing trials were conducted by SEAFDEC/AQD as part of the JAIF project on Enhancing Sustainable Utilization and Management Scheme for Tropical Anguillid Eel Resources in Southeast Asia.

Feeding trials, identification of potential diseases and formulation of health management protocols were further studied to refine the nursery rearing capability of local farms.

Dr. Eguia, on the other hand, improved the identification of eel species and its morphological characteristics in order to differentiate eel species. These include fin length, presence and patterns of pigmentation, and proportion of anal-dorsal length. Dr. Eguia used molecular markers to further confirm the results of physical identification.

The increasing global demand for eels that resulted to its decline, called for attention by several countries to discuss its proper management and sustainable utilization. The regional status of tropical anguillid eel resources will be the basis for discussion at the forthcoming COP18 (Conference of the Parties) CITES which will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka in May2019.

CITES is a global treaty that regulates wildlife trade.