First Shellfish Summit Aims at Increasing Fisher Folk’s Lives

The Asian Fisheries Academy (AFA) and the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-BFAR-NFRDI), together with the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research (DOST-PCAMRD) conducted the first ever National Shellfish Summit at Dagupan City in Pangasinan last Sept. 23–24.

According to PCAMRD director Cesario Pagdilao, this summit is particularly geared to gather information on available shellfish technologies, markets, culture and processing. Mr. Pagdilao also said that the summit is concentrated in the study of the molluscan species of the shellfish kingdom.

Meanwhile, Dr. Westly Rosario, interim executive director of the NFRDI, said that a five-year road map for the industry shall have been drawn after the two-day event. A resolution for the promotion of shellfish as a valuable resource was also included in the output of the conference.

The two-day event saw to several discussions and presentations regarding the local and international shellfish industry, as well as workshops based on specific lines of expertise including biology, ecology, and assessment; broodstock development and seed production; culture; and processing, marketing trade, and promotion.

More than 300 participant from all over the country participated in the event, representing various sectors of the agriculture and aquaculture communities.

For interested parties, please contact the PCAMRD Los Baños Secretariat at (049) 536-55 or the AFA/NFRDI at Bonuan Binlec, Dagupan at (075) 653-0305.

Government Staged First Siganid Summit for Fisherfolks

Various government councils involved in aquaculture and marine life development and research staged for the fisherfolks of Pangasinan the First National Summit on Hatchery and Culture of Siganid (Rabbitfish). The event was held last March 10 –12, 2009 at the Asian Fisheries Academy, in Binloc, Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

The summit was jointly organized by the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center and National Fisheries and Development Institute (NFRDI) of the Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD) of the Department of Science and Technology.

The summit aims to gather information on the present practices and available technologies on siganids (Siganus spp.), identify gaps in the development of rabbitfish hatchery and culture industry, identify strategies for the formulation of a five-year road map for the industry, and prepare a resolution for the promotion of rabbitfish as high-value cultivable species.

Topics discussed during the event include:

• Taxonomy and Geographical Distribution of Siganids in the Philippines
• First Feeding in Wild Siganid Larvae Inferred from Otolith Microstructure
• Alge and Reproductive Potential of Domesticated Siganus guttatus Breeders
• Status of the Siganids Fry Production in Northern Mindanao
• Feed Quality and Nutrition Standards
• Nutritional Study on Siganids
• Feeds and feeding trials of siganids for culture
• Culture techniques for Siganids
• Cage Culture of Siganid
• Developments on Hatchery and Culture of Siganids
• Status & Prospects of Siganid Hatchery and Culture in the Philippines
• Broodstock Development & Hatchery Techniques
• Seagrass Ecosystems in Relation to Siganids
• Population Dynamics of Siganids
• Diseases & Emergency Preparedness
• Diseases of Siganids
• Best Aquaculture Practices Postharvest, Market & Trade, & Promotion
• Philippine National Standard for Dried Danggit
• Siganid Processing in Bantayan Island, Cebu
• Padas Processing in Pangasinan
• Improved Processing of Lamayo from Siganids in Puerto Princesa, Palawan

The First National Summit on Hatchery and Culture of Siganid is sponsored by Tateh Aquafeeds.