The Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division (IARRD) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) visited the ongoing Niche Center in the Region (NICER) and Eel Projects at Isabela State University (ISU) and Cagayan State University (CSU) recently.
The team, headed by the Monitoring and Evaluation Section Head, Dr. Adelaida T. Calpe, together with Mr. Wilfredo C. Ibarra and Ms. Dannah Lee D. Alcomendras, assessed the status and gauged compliance to the set project’s workplan.
Dr. Isagani P. Angeles, Jr. presented the accomplishments and results of the NICER Program Project 1. Conservation and Artificial Spawning of “Ludong” Lobed River Mullet (Cestraeus plicalitis) and Project 2. Utilization of Aquatic Plants as Immunostimulants for Freshwater Eel Culture. Prof. Ernesto S. Del Rosario presented Species Composition and Seasonality of Eels in River Systems of Northeastern Philippines project.
The team visited the ongoing construction of Freshwater Fisheries Center (FFC) for Cagayan Valley located inside the ISU-Echague Campus, the Aquaculture Laboratory Building in ISU-Roxas Campus, and the Multi-Species Hatchery and Museum of Fisheries in CSU-Aparri Campus. They also paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Richard R. Alibania, Municipal Agriculture Officer in Sta. Ana, Cagayan before going to project site monitoring.
With the implementation of these projects, the proponent is aiming for the application of patent on formulated feeds and developed protocol on eel conditioning and transport, determine research gaps, and submit new proposals for possible DOST/ PCAARRD funding.
