© Nyra Armada
These larvae were produced using wild spawners collected from Carles, Iloilo, and used to seed another grow-out pond run under SEAFDEC/AQD’s “Oplan Balik Sugpo” programme. Launched in 2017, this programme addresses the significant decline in shrimp production that began in the late 1990s due to disease outbreaks linked to poor biosecurity and environmental practices.
Harvested postlarvae were packed in double-layered polyethylene bags, each filled with one-third UV-sterilised seawater and two-thirds oxygen, to ensure stress-free transport to the Dumangas Brackishwater Station. Once arrived, they acclimatised for thirty minutes before being stocked in two earthen ponds. These larvae are expected to be harvested after 120 days of culture.
“By producing disease-free and locally sourced larvae, we not only reduce dependence on imported shrimp stocks but also help shield farms from disease outbreaks,” said Dan Baliao, SEAFDEC/AQD’s chief, in a press release.
Last year, the research centre netted five tonnes of tiger shrimp from 200,000 postlarvae with a stocking density of twenty-five individuals per square metre.
The Oplan Balik Sugpo programme aims to revive the once-thriving black tiger shrimp sector in the country. It focuses on improving local broodstock, strengthening biosecurity practices, and promoting sustainable farming approaches. It supports local shrimp farmers by supplying robust, hatchery-reared fry with higher survival rates, which can improve farm yields and boost profitability.
