The Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division (IARRD) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (IARRD-PCAARRD) collaborated with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Fisheries Reg ional Office III to conduct the Seminar on Genetics, Reproductive Performance, and Seed Quality of Nile and Red Tilapia. The seminar was held at the SACOP EPHATHA Development Center, Maimpis, San Fernando, Pampanga on March 31, 2017.
The seminar highlighted six resource persons and the following topics:
• Dr. Emmanuel M. Vera Cruz of Central Luzon State University (CLSU) on the Status and Trends of Tilapia Industry in the Philippines;
• Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) on Introduced and Grown Tilapia Species in the Country;
• Wilfredo G. Yap of SANTEH Foundation on the Industry View on the Tilapia Farming;
• Dr. Norida P. Samson of IARRD-PCAARRD, in lieu of Albino M. Ganchero of the Export Marketing Bureau of the Department of Trade and Industry (EMB-DTI), on the Global Market Status and Trends of Tilapia;
• Dr. Jonas P. Quilang of the University of the Philippines Diliman-Institute of Biology (UPD-IB) on the Genetics of Nile and Red Tilapia Strains and Feral Tilapia Populations; and
• Dr. Zubaida U. Basiao of UPD-IB on the Reproductive Performance and Seed Quality of Nile and Red Tilapia Strains.
BFAR-III’s Regional Director Wilfredo M. Cruz said that the seminar aimed to improve knowledge and exchange ideas to further progress the program on fisheries.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dalisay DG. Fernandez, IARRD Director, highlighted PCAARRD’s R&D efforts on tilapia since 2014 and expressed appreciation on the link among research, extension, and industry.
BFAR National Director and Undersecretary of Fisheries Eduardo B. Gongona hoped that the Philippines can be the top tilapia producer in the world especially since the seminar convened many of the brilliant minds in the country. Gongona ended his message by saying that the country should strive hard to become a self-sufficient country.
During the open forum, attendees posed queries, particularly on import data, breeding, selection, and genetic diversity. Feedback and learnings from the seminar were achieved and new R&D areas, strategies for extension, and avenues for partnership were identified.