The MOU was signed by AQD Chief Dr. Joebert Toledo and SPU president Sr. Carolina Agravante at AQD’s Tigbauan Main Station. AQD Research Division Head Dr. Evelyn Grace Ayson and SPU Research Director Ms. Imelda Olaguer served as witnesses.
The pact aims to develop collaborative training and extension programs; promote the exchange of scientists between the two institutions for instruction, training and related activities; and strengthen the capabilities of both AQD and SPU in the fields of fisheries, aquatic and related sciences, with emphasis on sound environmental practices.
The MOU took effect from the day of signing and is good for five years.
AQD, St. Paul University ink accord
AQD holds Dean DK Villaluz memorial lecture, research seminar
The Dean Domiciano K. Villaluz memorial lecture, an annual event held in honor of Dean Villaluz, AQD’s first Chief, was held at AQD’s Tigbauan Main Station (TMS) last July 9.
Dr. Fernando Siringan of the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines Diliman 
What are the negative effects of SST rise? Dr. Siringan mentioned that changes in shallow and deep-ocean water primary production have been observed. Certain dinoflagellates associated with harmful algal blooms, such as Pyrodinium bahamense, also flourish in warmer waters. In addition, the rising sea levels in the Philippines is due to the warming of the seas. Thus, coastal erosion and worsening floods along the coastal plains have persisted in the country.
A research seminar was also held that same day, where
Consultative meeting on aquafeed standards
AQD scientist Dr. Relicardo Coloso took part in a Consultative meeting to draft a Philippine National Standard (PNS) for aquaculture feeds.
The meeting, which took place last July 16, was held in Bacolod City to present the draft PNS and solicit feedback from stakeholders.
Dr. Coloso presented an Overview of Philippine aquaculture feed industry. Future prospects, according to Dr. Coloso, include improved formulations for environment friendly feeds for sustainable aquaculture, more information on micronutrient requirements, additives and enhancers. He also mentioned that new areas for aquaculture development and new formulations of feeds for various species will expand the aquaculture feed market by at least 5% that would cause more pressure on feed resources. Inadequate formulation of aquaculture feeds may affect the income of aquaculture farmers/operators and eventually the quality of the environment. The need for quality control in aquaculture feeds is very important to safeguard the health of the consumers. Aquaculture feed millers and aquaculture farmers/operators must be responsible to make sure that the feeds they manufacture or use pass certain standards.
The development of this standard was started in 2007 when the National Agriculture and Fisheries Council–Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture (NAFC–CFA) created a group to work in identifying fish and fishery commodities for standardization.
Aquaculture feeds was identified and recommended by the NAFC-CFA Working Group on Fisheries Product Standardization because of its economic importance.
This activity is one of four meetings as a prerequisite prior to the approval of the standard as PNS. – by Mark Matubang, DA-Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards
Conferences on investments, catfish, genetics
Region 12 1st investment conference
The conference, adopting the theme Channeling substantial resources towards investments, was conducted at General Santos City.
Dr. Aralar presented the available technology for the larval rearing, nursery and grow-out of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii, locally known as ulang.
At the end of the break-out session for ulang, P4 million worth of investments have been tagged by interested participants/investors who want to venture into the culture of the commodity. It was noted that the supply of ulang cannot keep up with the demand, hence, investments on its culture was included in the ICON.
Also included were lectures on the technology, financing and market matching for investors on eco-tourism site development; coconut sugar; sap and honeybee production; barako coffee; sunflower farming; engineering and architectural designs; pineapple; moringa (malunggay); and cardava banana.
The conference was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) Region 12, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) Council of General Santos City, and the Department of Tourism.
2nd hito conference in GenSan
Dr. Catacutan was on hand to present a paper on Formulated feeds out of indigenous materials for catfish, while Ms. Evangelista talked about the Status of catfish aquaculture industry in the Philippines and Natural food for freshwater species.
Both were able to present AQD’s contribution to the the catfish industry in the Philippines which includes studies on the hatchery, nursery as well as grow-out technologies for the culture of the native catfish Clarias macrocephalus. Because of this, AQD was officially identified by the Mr. Vicente Lao, president of the Mindanao Business Council, as one of the lead agencies to help the catfish industry.
Queries on disease management and feed cost were raised and answered by Dr. Catacutan and Ms. Evangelista.
Problems on the slow growth and low survival of hatchery produced fry (Pangasius species) were also brought up.
The Department of Trade & Industry 12, Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources 12 and the SOCSARGEN Catfish Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SOCAFAMPC) were the main sponsors of the event.
Forum on GM technologies in Quezon City
AQD scientist Dr. Maria Rowena Eguia presented a paper on the current Local situation on GM technology: focus on GM tilapia during the Forum on GM (genetic modification) technologies organized by the Network Opposed to Genetically Modified Organisms (NO2GMOs!) last July 20 in Diliman, Quezon City.
Dr. Eguia’s presentation, entitled Are we ready for ‘Franken’ tilapia, was well-received by the audience. The attendees were relieved to know that farmed GM fish have not been commercially approved for distribution. The NO2GMOs was pleased to note that AQD upholds the Code of conduct for responsible aquaculture, which states that the use and propagation of GMOs is not encouraged in SEAFDEC member-countries.
Also discussed were the international trends on new GM technologies and modern biotechnology applications (GM tree, GM virus, GM pharma, GM fish) and research done in the Philippines on genetically modified rice, papaya, eggplant, papaya and peanuts, among other crops.
Dr. Eguia hopes that in the future, AQD resource persons continue to participate in similar fora so that the general public is made aware of the issues/problems that arise from the use and/or misuse of modern biotechnologies.
Bookwriting workshop at AQD
AQD held a bookwriting workshop attended by its senior staff on July 8 held at AQD’s Tigbauan Main Station.
Dr. Gregorio Perez of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 6 on the other hand updated the participants on the Status of fisheries education in Western Visayas. He noted that there are 11 schools in the region currently offering fisheries degree programs, with enrollment ranging from zero to 613.
The participants identified a time frame for the publication, the target audience and promotional activities for the textbooks.
Guests visit AQD stations
KSA dignitaries visit AQD
Dr. Al-Sunaiher and Mr. Baheej were accompanied by Dr. Felix Ayson, a former AQD scientist and currently the Chief Technical Adviser of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. They visited AQD to discuss future collaborations between AQD and FFC and learn about its various research programs and see its research facilities.
On their first day at TMS, they were briefed about AQD’s research activities by Research Division Head Dr. Evelyn Grace Ayson. Specialists on AQD’s research programs, namely Dr. Mae Catacutan (nutrition and feed development), Dr. Gilda Lio-Po (fish health), Dr. Relicardo Coloso (marine fish), Dr. Fe Dolores Estepa (mud crab and shrimp domestication), and Ms. Ma. Rovilla Luhan (seaweed strain improvement) were also present during the meeting.
The visitors toured AQD’s library, hatcheries and laboratories at TMS, Dumangas Brackishwater Station (DBS), and Igang Marine Station (IMS).
PBA cager, missionaries, private sector tour AQD
Fifteen young missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, on the other hand, toured AQD last August 28. Among the facilities they visited include the FishWorld museum and the seahorse, abalone and integrated hatcheries.
Also visiting AQD were Mr. Jonah Nobleza Mr. Zemar Jul of Strategic Development Cooperation Asia from Davao City last May 11-15; Ms. Narisa Lintorio, Ms. Rowena De Mesa and Mr. Yan Mark Cabanes from Iloilo City last June 4; and Mr. Stephen Sungkip and eight other personnel from Action for Enterprise (AFE) based in Cebu City last June 24-25.
RiSci at BFS
The visit, which took place last May 22, aimed to expose the students to various research facilities of BFS and acquaint them on the different research and training undertakings of AQD. The visit also gave students some insights in preparing a research proposal.
The visitors – comprised of more than 200 students, six teachers and four Parent, Teacher and Community Association (PTCA) officers – were divided into two batches during the lecture presentation, and into four during the tour of facilities.
The visitors were fascinated with the varied aquatic life forms reared and maintained at the station.
AQD celebrates 36th anniversary
AQD Chief Dr. Joebert Toledo reflected on this year’s theme, SEAFDEC/AQD: Committed to mitigate the effects of climate change through responsible aquaculture. He acknowledged that climate change is a huge issue, and for aquaculture, its effects are just being felt though not yet fully studied.
At AQD, it was observed that milkfish breeding has lengthened to become year-round, and as a result, production of milkfish fry has been year-round too. While definitely good for milkfish culture, he also noted the negative effects of climate change for fishing communities. In Malalison Island where AQD has a coastal fisheries resource management project, for example, the beach has been eroded by stronger storms while bleaching has occurred in coral reefs.
The keynote speaker, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director and SEAFDEC Council Director Atty. Malcolm Sarmiento praised AQD, saying that AQD’s “brand of aquaculture” is different, anchored on unwavering commitment to sustainable aquaculture through science-based research.
With aquaculture being the new centerpiece of the Philippine government’s food production program, Atty. Sarmiento noted the national policy to encourage fishers to switch from capture fisheries to fish farming. In this vein, he requested AQD to assist BFAR in formulating a 5-year development plan for high-value species to be reared in mariculture parks throughout the country. Moreover, he hopes to collaborate with AQD on projects that will result in developing more innovative approaches to climate change.
Dr. Clarissa Marte, Head of AQD’s Technology Verification and Demonstration Division, gave an inspirational talk and reminisced about the early years as well. She started by noting that AQD’s population is now composed of four generations, with the pioneering staff in their 60s belonging to the first. Dr. Marte recalled that she and her colleagues joined AQD without any knowledge about fish, having come from various backgrounds. Over the course of their work did they learn to love fish and work with fish. She reminisced about some of the groundbreaking work they did, including milkfish breeding and, with former AQD Chief Dr. Flor Lacanilao, the multidisciplinary approach in implementing the fisheries resource management project in the island of Malalison. She hoped that AQD staff continue to love their work, find fulfillment in it, and remain challenged by it.
Mr. Renato Agbayani, Head of the Training and Information Division, also shared his experiences and wisdom. According to him, the reason he lasted long at AQD was because of his love and passion for his work. He echoed Dr. Marte’s advice to value, find fulfillment, and enjoy work. Moreover, he espoused the value of being a good worker. He further said that SEAFDEC has been a good provider, and has enabled him to provide shelter for his family, educate his children, and enjoy the little pleasures in life. He closed by paraphrasing the famous words of US President John F. Kennedy: “Ask not what SEAFDEC can do for you, but what you can do for SEAFDEC.”
Dr. Toledo and Deputy Chief Dr. Teruo Azuma awarded certificates of appreciation to employees and retirees who have served AQD for at least 20 years. One retiree, Mr. Manuel Garcesto of the Administrative and Finance Division, urged the employees to serve the Department “with utmost sincerity.”
Where does AQD go from here? Dr. Toledo pointed to the new strategic plans to show the way. He also reiterated AQD’s vision to be a global leader in the generation and transfer of appropriate and sustainable tropical aquaculture technologies for food security and holistic human development. He also thanked AQD staff, government agencies, and other stakeholders for their contributions through the years.
Happy 36th, AQD!
Training for Rwanda
The training course was commissioned by the Singapore-based Acrux Stella Education Group Pte. Ltd. (ASEG) which handles projects in Rwanda.
While the training covered four commercially important tropical species, emphasis during field/farm visits was given to tilapia and catfish which are common to both Asia and Africa.
The first phase of the training course was a three-week skills training in Freshwater fish breeding and farming, while the second phase was Industry immersion training involving three weeks of internship training on freshwater fish hatchery and lake-based pen/cage farming operations.
Phase 1 of the training consisted mainly of lecture and practical sessions on basic and advanced technologies in broodstock development, hatchery and grow-out, and management of freshwater fish/crustacean species.
Apart from the sessions held in BFS, the participants were also taken on field trips to visit tilapia science center facilities in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Taal Lake for tilapia cage culture, and catfish ponds in Bulacan.
Phase 2 was conducted at several farm sites owned by Concord Aquaculture of the Frabelle Fishing Corporation where the trainees learned milkfish cage/pen operations, carp hatchery operations, fish transport, and fish processing.
As requested by ASEG Director Mr. Bruno Lee, the training course aimed to raise the overall knowledge of the RWDA staff in freshwater aquaculture in order to increase the productivity of fish farming in freshwater lakes in Rwanda.
AQD holds marine fish hatchery training
Four participants came from the Philippines, while one each came from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Germany, Malaysia, and Myanmar.
Lectures and practicals covered a diverse array of topics such as sustainable aquaculture, fish biology, natural food production, hatchery design and management, nutrition and feeds, water quality monitoring, health management, economics, post-harvest, and marketing.
Aside from the lectures and practicals which were held in TMS, the participants also visited IMS, DBS, UPV Miagao, and several private hatcheries in Iloilo.
122 Guimaras fisherfolk train on milkfish cage culture
Including the thirty that already registered in Brgy San Antonio last month, this brings the total number of participants in the training to 122.
After registration, a short program was held where Brgy. Captains gave their messages and introduced their respective participants. Hon Alex Araneta, Mayor of Nueva Valencia also graced the event and encouraged the participants to do their best to learn from the training course.
Module 1 of their training then commenced with lectures on sustainable aquaculture and milkfish cage culture followed by practicals on net cage fabrication and water quality monitoring which lasted until the next day.
Brgy San Antonio
Meanwhile, the 30 trainees in San Antonio advanced to module 2 of their training held from June 30 to July 1. The module covered the same topics as module 1 of Igang, Magamay, and Sto Domingo.
On the first day, they were also given their certificates for participating in the first module on post-harvest and marketing, which was held last month in San Antonio.
Training sessions for the participants from San Antonio are held separate from the three other barangays because of their community’s distance from the municipal gymnasium.
Phase 1 profits turned over
During their respective training sessions, TID Head Mr. RF Agbayani also handed over checks to the heads of the different fisherfolk organizations from the four barangays.
Three fisherfolk organizations from each of Brgys Igang, Magamay, and Sto. Domingo received checks worth P66,956.40 while two fisherfolk organizations from Brgy San Antonio received P33,478.20 each.
The checks represent the project share of the barangays from phase 1 of the training course which ended May last
year.
The season long training course for these four barangays in Guimaras is part of a collaborative pilot project on Mariculture livelihood program for Guimaras fisherfolks between Citi Foundation, Petron Foundation, and AQD.
Genetics symposium in Bangkok
The poster of Dr. MRR Eguia was titled “A comparative assessment of genetic and biological characteristics in two giant freshwater prawn species (Macrobrachium rosenbergii and Macrobrachium wallacei) in the Philippines” while Mr. RV Eguia’s poster was on the “Effect of reduced larval rearing salinity on subsequent growth and survival in two
generations of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii.”
According to Dr. Eguia, the symposium allowed them to catch up “with news on the research involvements of
some highly respected senior and several contemporary geneticist-friends” and learn “new developments/trends in
genetics research as applied in aquaculture and biodiversity conservation.”
Dr. MRR Eguia’s travel was fully sponsored by the Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency (TICA) while AQD’s staff development program covered 50% of Mr. RV Eguia’s registration fee.
ISGA, which is held every three years, provides a venue where the latest in population genetics, genetic improvement
of aquacultured animals, and other related issues may be presented. It is organized by the International Association
for Genetics in Aquaculture.
Lab work in Onagawa
Dr. Eguia’s month-long stay was an offshoot of her 3-day visit last October 2008 during the World Fisheries Congress, where she did preliminary microsatellite marker analysis trials at the OFSC, which prides itself of advanced genetic marker analysis facilities and equipment.
Despite the absence of an official MOA between AQD and Tohoku University, the OFSC faculty, led by Dr. Eguia’s former professor Dr. Minoru Ikeda and thesis evaluator (now TU Vice President) Prof. Akihiro Kijima, allowed the use of their equipment, disposables, and some reagents at no cost.
According to Dr. Eguia, the month-long laboratory analysis, which was part of her GOJ-TF funded research, has
somehow shortened the period devoted to the study. She also cited the quick procurement of reagents/chemicals in Japan which would take at least 2 months in the Philippines.
Aside from the laboratory work, Dr. Eguia was also able to discuss plans for other areas of research collaboration with
the OFSC faculty.
“AQD can do future work with their research faculty in the application of genetic markers not only in aquaculture but mainly in stock enhancement as the PFSC is strong in population/evolutionary genetics work.”
Libraries’ conference in Belgium
Founded in Düsseldorf, Germany in 1955, the IATUL is a voluntary international non-governmental organization of a group of libraries, represented by their library directors or senior managers, who have responsibility for information services and resources management. It also serves as an international forum for the exchange of ideas relevant to librarianship in technological universities throughout the world.
“Just for you: Quality through innovation” is the theme of this year’s conference as the libraries of technical universities and scientific research centers strive to meet the demands of teachers and researchers in their pursuit of
research and innovation.
Mr. Alayon’s attendance to the IATUL Conference, which involved some 150 participants, is part of the Flemish Interuniversity Council – University Development Cooperation (VLIR-UOS) scholarship grant on International Training
Program (ITP) - Scientific and Technological Information Management in Universities and Libraries: an Active Training Environment, edition 9 (STIMULATE9).
IATUL decided to offer free membership to the organizations of STIMULATE9 participants’. With Mr. Alayon’s
participation, this offer was also extended to AQD for the year 2009-2010.
The next Annual IATUL Conference will be held on 20-24 June 2010 at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana and Chicago, USA with the theme “Evolving World of e-Science: Impact and Implication for Science and Technology Libraries.”
Post-project assessment in Malalison Island
The team made a rapid appraisal of coral reefs and invertebrates (led by Ms. Yasmin Tirol), underwater visual census of fish stocks (led by Dr. Edgar Amar), seagrass survey (led by Ms. Maria Rovilla Luhan) and community profiling (led by Ms. Didi Baticados).
Findings show that coral mortality was widespread (37-44%) while live coral cover was very low in the natural reefs surveyed. Because the coral structures remained intact, the cause of coral mortality was thought to be from non-physical disturbances such as climate change, freshwater run-off, or the leakage of toxic chemicals from a cargo ship that sank near the island last year.
The fish census did not vary significantly from data gathered in 1999 and showed that fish were still abundant in the observed areas. However, the team presumed that the abundance of fish will decline in the near future as a result of the
widespread coral mortality.
Seagrass meadows in Malalison remained intact covering an area of 0.2 km2 although shells, sea cucumbers, and sea urchins were no longer found when these were abundant in 1993.
Fishing is still the primary source of livelihood in the community with 81% of the households owning boats.
Fishers claimed that there is still an abundance of fish but the apparent decline in their catch over the years is due to the increase in the island’s population.
Detailed results of the assessment can be read from The Malalison Experience, a storybook which documents the community fishery resources management efforts of AQD in the island since 1991.
The book, which is coauthored by Mr. Renato Agbayani, Dr. Clarissa Marte, Ms. Didi Baticados, Dr. Edgar Amar, and Ms. Milagros Castaños, will be available in the latter half of the year.
School supplies for Malalison 
Among the school supplies turned over by AQD librarian Ms. Luisa Pacino to the school’s Teacher-in-Charge Ms. Dionna Doroteo-Macuja were globes, maps, storybooks, art materials, charts, notebooks, pens, dictionaries, and volleyballs and nets.
Accompanying the boxes of donated materials was a letter from AQD Chief Dr. Joebert Toledo expressing support to quality education for the children of Malalison Island “so that in the future they take good care of the coastal resources.”
For almost two decades, the Malalison folk have been cooperating with AQD in the effective management of their coastal resources and in the improvement of their socioeconomic conditions.