SEAFDEC fishery experts laud Calape R&D facility 

Rey Anthony Chiu 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, April 5, 2013 (PIA) –Around 80 delegates from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) breezed through Bohol Friday and visited a key aquaculture facility in Calape, as efforts for aquaculture food sufficiency in the region spreads here. 

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Assistant regional Director Allan Poquita explained that the representatives from Asean member countries are in the Philippines for the 45th South East Asian Fisheries Development Council (SEAFDEC) meeting, which was held at the Radisson Blu in Cebu. 

While in the meeting, members also decided to visit sites which are supportive of the SEAFDEC’s mandates to conduct research, develop technologies, disseminate information, and train people in the farming of fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, and seaweeds for food, livelihood, equity, and sustainable development. 

Members shared that they are now interested in knowing how regions respond to the challenges in climate change and the food sufficiency especially in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. 

Two Bohol areas have been identified but due to time constraints, the team only took the Calape Fishery Complex. 

This site also happens to be called Central Visayas Multi-Species Hatchery and Demonstration Center (CVMSHDC) in Bentig Calape Bohol. 

Formerly called Central Visayas Regional Fisheries Research and Development Center, from the earlier Bohol Brackish water Demonstration Fish Farm, the brackish water fishponds has been BFAR’s field operating facility conducting research on marine water fisheries. 

Considered one of the BFAR facilities in the region, the CVMSHDC conducted research and development for BFAR while its mandates spread to conducting applied aquaculture research and development for both technology generation and technology verification. 

Now engaged in the research and development of milkfish, siganid, grouper, vanamei shrimps, and seaweeds, the facility also conducts research and development services in milkfish agribusiness project and test cultures for Gracilaria in brackish water Ponds. 

Gracilaria forms as feeds for abalone, which is also produced at the facility. 

The facility focuses on fingerling and marketable size production which it distributes to commercial fish farmers owning fish pens, fish ponds and fish cage operators or government aquaculture projects, academe, fisherfolks, people’s organizations and private sector groups, BFAR’s Poquita said. 

Asean members of the council were amazed at the local initiatives in making sure there is sufficient supply of fingerlings and broodstocks which are needed in fish pens, cages and fish ponds. 

Poquita said Bohol facility inside a 37 hectare compound produces an average of 10 million annual fingerlings and brood stocks in the brackish water ponds some half a kilometer from the highway. (30/ed)