© JF ALdon
The expansion includes the development of a feed mill, hatcheries, and grow-out tanks, reflecting SEAFDEC’s ongoing commitment to advancing aquaculture research in the region.
The new feed mill, funded with PHP 26,800,000, primarily from the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Office 6, is designed to produce 500 kilograms of feed per hour. This output translates to an annual production capacity of approximately 1,560 tons, aiming to support cost-efficient aquaculture practices in the area. Currently, the project is 78% complete, with equipment delivery and installation underway.
Once operational, the feed mill is expected to contribute significantly to sustaining and increasing the production of finfishes in ponds and cages across Region 6 by providing high-quality, cost-efficient feeds. Construction of the feed mill commenced in September 2023, with SEAFDEC/AQD providing PHP 250,000 in counterpart funding.
In addition to the feed mill, SEAFDEC/AQD is also developing a hatchery for Bali sardine, locally known as "tamban". This PHP 4,330,196 project forms part of a collaborative study with the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), focusing on the domestication of the species. Recognising the commercial significance of whiteleg shrimp, SEAFDEC/AQD is further establishing a hatchery and grow-out tanks dedicated to shrimp culture. This project, valued at PHP 51,939,470, is expected to enhance SEAFDEC/AQD’s research and production capabilities in shrimp aquaculture.
Since 2017, SEAFDEC/AQD has made substantial investments in its facilities, adding approximately 20,000 square meters of new broodstock facilities, hatcheries, reservoirs, water treatment tanks, and other support structures within its 40-hectare complex in Tigbauan, Philippines. SEAFDEC/AQD chief, Dan Baliao, emphasised that these developments are part of a broader commitment to maximising the department’s potential in aquaculture production, further solidifying its role in advancing aquaculture across Southeast Asia.