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), headed by its director, Eduardo V. Manalili, successfully conducted the Annual Program and Terminal Review of the Inland Aquatic R&D Projects. The activity was held via video conference on December 9-11, 2020.
The review aimed to determine the program and its project’s attainment of the deliverables/commitments, identify technologies that are ready for transfer and commercialization, as well as information that are ready for dissemination to ensure that the results of the projects are utilized by the intended beneficiaries. The activity likewise aimed to identify new researchable areas and research gaps and to serve as a venue to define areas for capacity building and policy analysis.
A total of 30 projects on the following Industry Strategic S&T Programs (ISPs) were presented and reviewed: tilapia (6), mussel (5), shrimp (4), mangrove crab (4), inland biodiversity (4), aquafeeds (4), eel (2), and milkfish (1).
Projects on tilapia focused on nanotechnology applications, enhancing culture systems, and alternative health management. Mussel projects presented were on depuration facilities and extraction of lipids, protein, and glycogen for biotechnology products. Shrimp projects dealt on broodstock development, diagnostic kits, and transcriptome and gut metagenome profiling.
Meanwhile, the ISP on mangrove crab focused on genomics and improvement of soft-shell mangrove crab production. Projects on inland biodiversity included upland lake ecosystems, nursery rearing and biological studies on eel and ‘ludong,’ conservation of ‘tawilis,’ and management of knifefish. Lastly, projects evaluated on aquafeeds were on synbiotic products, development of cost-competitive aquafeeds, and evaluation of agents to reduce feed cost of practical diets; while on milkfish project on the refinement of nursery culture and development was reviewed.
The Technical Review and Evaluation Panel (TREP) was composed of Mr. Wilfredo G. Yap, Executive Director of SANTEH S&T Foundation, Inc. and member of the PCAARRD Governing Council; Dr. Ma. Rowena R. Eguia, Scientist, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center-Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC-AQ); Dr. Francisco B. Elegado, Scientist, National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines Los Banos (BIOTECH-UPLB); Dr. Relicardo M Coloso, Professor, University of San Agustin; Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, Aquaculture Specialist, Aquatic BioSystems Inc.; Prof. Valeriano L. Corre, Consultant, University of the Philippines Visayas; Dr. Emilia T. Quinitio, Crustacean Biology and Culture Specialist, ISDA Inc.; and Dr. Celia L. Pitogo, Fish Health Consultant, Feedmix Specialist, Inc.. During the open forum, questions, clarifications, and recommendations from the evaluators and participants were raised and addressed by the concerned researchers.
Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, PCAARRD Executive Director, during his welcome remarks, said that the strength of PCAARRD is dependent on the strength of the implementing agencies, and hopes to continue the collaboration and for PCAARRD to give the appropriate support, so that the objective of improving the aquatic sector will be attained.
A total of 80 participants, mostly proponents and researchers from 20 different universities/research institutions:University of the Philippines – Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI), University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), UPLB, Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Isabela State University (ISU), Cagayan State University (CSU), Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU), De La Salle University (DLSU), Cavite State University (CvSU), Bicol University – Tabaco Campus (BUTC), University of Santo Tomas (UST), University of San Carlos (USC), Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU), Mindanao State University – Naawan and Gensan (MSU-Naawan and MSU-Gensan), University of the Philippines – Institute of Biology (UP-IB), Western Philippines University (WPU), Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC), Mindanao State College of Agriculture and Technology (MinSCAT), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 12, attended the review.