by SEAFDEC/AQD
Six new aquaculture extension manuals penned by SEAFDEC/AQD’s scientist, experts, and researchers were introduced and distributed during the institution’s 30th Book Launching on 4 July 2023 in Tigbauan, Iloilo.
The books – covering topics on the cultivation of sea cucumber, rabbitfish, natural larval food, tiger shrimp, and pompano – were distributed to fifty attendees, comprised mostly of fisherfolks and local government fisheries personnel.
The first manual unveiled was the Aquaculture Extension Manual No. 69: Hatchery Production of Sea Cucumbers (Sandfish Holothuria Scabra), authored by Dr. Jon Altamirano and Mr. Jesus Rodriguez Jr., which provides for the consolidated methods, practical protocols, and good practices in sea cucumber breeding that were established within the past decade of research and development at the small-scale sea cucumber hatchery of the research institution.
It was followed by the Aquaculture Extension Manual No. 70: Nursery and Grow-out Culture of Rabbitfish Siganus guttatus in Brackishwater Ponds by Ms. Pedrita Caballero, Mr. Eliseo Coniza, and Mr. Rheniel Dayrit, which provides an update on the current techniques for nursery and grow-out culture operations of the rabbitfish.
The next one is the Aquaculture Extension Manual No. 71: Culture of Natural Food for Farmed Freshwater Fish and Prawn Larvae which is available in both English and Filipino. The manual is for local freshwater hatchery operators and their technicians to have a better understanding of how and why there is a need to culture natural food organisms as part of the standard larval rearing protocol and to boost fish and prawn seedstock production.
The manual was authored by Mr. Reylan Gutierrez, Ms. Mildred Rutaquio, Dr. Frolan Aya, and Dr. Maria Rowena Romana- Eguia.
Meanwhile, the Aquaculture Extension Manual No. 72: Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon) Hatchery Operations Using Enhanced Biosecurity Measures, includes modifications on shrimp hatchery operations done by the Department to provide high-quality postlarvae for shrimp farming as well as the necessary protocols and biosecurity measures.
The manual was authored by Dr. Leobert de la Peña, Chief Dan Baliao, Dr. Roger Edward Mamauag, Ms. Janice Tambirao, Mr. Neil Dosado, Ms. Angelita Tillo, Mr. Renante Gatumbato, Ms. Nikka Failaman, Mr. Jebrham Navarro and Mr. Dayrit
Aquaculture Extension Manual No. 73: Nursery and Grow-out Culture of Snubnose Pompano (Trachinotus blochii, Lacepede) in Marine Cages provides for the culture methods and good practices that are the products of research projects done at SEAFDEC/AQD and also tackles practical techniques useful to fish farmers interested in raising pompano in marine cages.
The manual is written by Dr. Mamauag, Chief Baliao, Dr. de la Peña, Mr. Michael Tesorero, Mr. Mateo Paquito Yap, and Mr. Dayrit.
Lastly, Aquaculture Extension Manual No. 74: Nursery and Grow-out Culture of Snubnose Pompano (Trachinotus blochii, Lacepede) in Brackishwater Ponds gives culture techniques and good practices developed through research done at the SEAFDEC/AQD and also tackles a viable technology that can guide fish farmers in raising pompano in brackishwater ponds.
The manual was written by Chief Baliao, Dr. Mamauag, Dr. de la Peña, Mr. Edgar Somblingo, Mr. Kyle Dyer Regatalio, and Mr. Dayrit.
These manuals are seen to guide and provide step-by-step instructions and valuable insights to enhance aquaculture operations, which in turn leads to profit for the fisherfolks and the development of the aquaculture industry.
Digital copies of the manuals are freely downloadable through SEAFDEC/AQD’s Institutional Repository (repository.seafdec.org.ph) while physical copies are may be purchased from the SEAFDEC/AQD Bookstore (bookstore@seafdec.org.ph).
