Manual on important marine parasites and their hosts in the Philippines

This manual gives basic information on some parasites of different infected fish submitted to the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/ Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) Diagnostic Service Laboratory in Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines. It is intended as a reference for those working in aquaculture in the Philippines. It is also designed to be a valuable reference for students, researchers, and enthusiasts eager to delve into the captivating field of parasitology and parasitic disease management

Establishing a community-based sea cucumber ranch: Merging science with local knowledge

Sea cucumbers are expensive, but natural wild stocks are overfished, especially in the tropics. This is why sea cucumber farming is increasingly gaining popularity worldwide, aside from the anticipated high economic gains from its dried food products. Hatchery production and practical farming technologies are available and have been demonstrated in some countries in the Indo-Pacific. However, there are limitations in the establishment of sea cucumber farms elsewhere, especially in the Philippines. The most basic bottleneck is in the identification of the potential pilot site to start a sea-based farming venture. A project at SEAFDEC/AQD, funded by ACIAR, aims to promote community-based production of the tropical sea cucumber Holothuria scabra or sandfish in the central Philippines, among other sites. Sandfish sea ranching involves culturing hatchery-bred native sandfish juveniles on intertidal coasts through a multi-stakeholder management approach. Although a number of scientific studies have established some general criteria for good ecological habitat for growing sandfish, the project has shown that technically generated environmental data is not sufficient information to guarantee a successful farming site. It should be complemented with traditional ecological knowledge to integrate sociocultural and local governance dimensions. Achieving consensus and cooperation among stakeholders (e.g. technical institutions, government, and local communities) are crucial in the initial planning and establishment of a pilot sea cucumber production site. This article highlights the importance of merging traditional ecological knowledge and science-based data as an essential prerequisite in project planning processes and implementation activities. This key strategy ensures that the project is aligned with the needs and expectations of the local stakeholders in order to promote long-term active commitment and engagement, leading to project sustainability

AQD Matters 2024 September - October

In this issue: SEAFDEC-NFRDI collab reaps 3 tons of shrimp; Scientist completes study visit in Japan to enhance SEAFDEC/AQD's research on eels; SEAFDEC/AQD collects seaweeds for tissue propagation; SEAFDEC/AQD explores Liguasan Marsh for prawn farming potential; SEAFDEC-NFRDI research on pompano yields 1.1 tons in partial harvest; SEAFDEC/AQD organizes 2nd sandfish training of 2024; Fukui Prefectural University trains at SEAFDEC/AQD; FAO team visits SEAFDEC/AQD; SEAFDEC/AQD trains BFAR staff on milkfish culture; Future tiger shrimp breeders find new home in broodstock facility; SEAFDEC/AQD harvests over 5 tons of black tiger shrimp; SEAFDEC/AQD joins PH's 'biggest' agribusiness trade fair; Aquaculture innovations promoted at 26th Davao Agri Trade Expo; MO, BFS employees enjoy team-building activity; SEAFDEC/AQD holds annual review and planning meeting; DA-BAR keen to partner with SEAFDEC/AQD; PhilHealth seminar updates staff on benefits, Konsulta Packag

AQD Matters 2024 May - June

In this issue: 1) Seizing the El Niño advantage in aquaculture; 2) Agreement inked for multi-species marine hatchery in Davao Occidental; 3) 56th SEAFDEC Council Meeting highlights key fisheries management initiatives; 4) Pompano sampling at NFRDI-FFRDC; 5) Five fisheries graduates complete intensive aquaculture training course; 6) SEAFDEC-NFRDI project collab nets 4.3 tons of whiteleg shrimp; 7) SEAFDEC/AQD stocks black tiger shrimp fry; 8) Experts share insights at Livestock and Aquaculture PH 2024; 8) Multi-species hatchery taking shape in Agusan del Norte; 9) SEAFDEC/AQD hosts Regional Sea Cucumber Roadshow; 10) Japanese experts visit AQD to discuss fish disease management, aquaculture feed market; 11) Training course on seaweed micropropagation and nursery culture held for BARMM participants; 12) BFAR staff acquire skills in mangrove crab culture; 13) 12 complete training on fish nutrition and feed developmen

Effect of malachite green on post-exposure filtration rate of blood clam Barbartia virescens (Reeve 1844)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of malachite green on the post-exposure filtration rate of Blood Clam, Barbatia virescens. Blood Clams were collected from the rocky coast and acclimated to laboratory conditions for 18 days. Bioassays were conducted wherein Blood Clams were exposed for 24 h to a clean medium (no malachite green), 0.06 mg l-1 malachite green, 0.32 mg l-1 malachite green, 5.06 mg l-1 malachite green, and then to the same concentrations for 48 h. Filtration rate in all concentrations and malachite green-exposure durations were determined at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 h. Blood Clams exposed for 24 h and 48 h to 0.32 and 5.06 mg l-1 had significantly lower filtration rates than the control (p <0.05). Similarly, those exposed to 0.06 mg l-1 for 48 h showed significant reduction in their filtration rates. The lower rate was associated with longer exposure to malachite green. In addition, Blood Clams exposed for 48 h were not able to improve their filtration rate, although they were transferred to a clean medium for 6 h. The green colouration on Blood Clams’ muscles was also not eliminated. These findings suggest the ecological risk of malachite green to bivalves and its implications to the health of sessile coastal organisms.This study was an output of a travel grant of Ms. Mandario (first author) to participate as an exchange student to Kagoshima University Faculty of Fisheries (KUFF)

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the efficacies of commercial probiotics and disinfectant against acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease and luminescent vibriosis in Litopenaeus vannamei

The bioactivities of two commercially available probiotics and one chemical disinfectant were tested against strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VPAHPND) and V. harveyi. This study aimed to determine shrimp pathogenic Vibrios' in vitro and in vivo sensitivities to commercial probiotics and a chemical disinfectant. The probiotics and disinfectant were tested first in vitro, followed by the in vivo trials. Results showed that upon administration of probiotics either through diet or adding into the tank water, the survivability of shrimp was increased during challenge with VPAHPND and V. harveyi. Also, the disinfectant was tested against the same pathogens and showed positive bactericidal effects at 2500 ppm and 5000 ppm. The present findings suggest that adding probiotics to the rearing water or the shrimp feeds effectively prevents infection by lowering the load of pathogenic bacteria. In comparison, the effectiveness of the disinfectant (PUR) depends on its appropriate concentration and timing of application. It is not only limited to rearing water but is also applicable for decontaminating pond liners, tanks, and other paraphernalia.Special thanks to the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Aquaculture Department for the support (FH-01-C2016T), the shrimp farm for providing experimental animals, and the Fish Health Section staff for assistance during this study. The authors acknowledge Miguel Leal for their comments to improve the quality of the manuscript

AQD Matters 2024 January - February

In this issue: 1) NFRDI to expand collaboration with SEAFDEC/AQD through sardine project; 2) SEAFDEC/AQD starts intensive training for fisheries graduates; 3) NFRDI, SEAFDEC/AQD research collab nets rich pompano harvest; 4) Grouper broodstock transported to Igang Marine Station; 5) Seaweed propagule cleaning; 6) SEAFDEC/AQD trains MAFAR-BARMM staff for sustainable agri-fishery growth; 7) BS Biology students gain practical experience at SEAFDEC/AQD labs; 8) PAO staff enhance skills in crab hatchery operations; 9) Multi-species marine hatchery rising in Surigao del Sur; 10) Dumangas Brackishwater Station yields bountiful milkfish, pompano harves

Effect of stocking density on growth, biochemical composition and blood parameters in the Pacific shortfin eel Anguilla bicolor pacifica elvers

This study examined the effect of stocking density on growth, biochemical composition, and blood parameters of the Pacific shortfin eel Anguilla bicolor pacifica. Elvers (1.95 ± 0.14 g body weight) were randomly stocked in indoor tanks and reared over 186 d at three stocking densities (0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 kg m-3) set up in triplicates. Except for survival and biometric indices, elvers maintained at 0.3 and 0.6 kg m-3 densities exhibited higher growth and feed utilization than those held at 0.9 kg m-3. Yield increased with stocking density, which were significantly higher at 0.6 and 0.9 kg m-3. RNA/DNA ratio did not reflect growth rate, but trends in survival and RNA/DNA ratio with stocking density were positively related. In contrast to body proximate composition, increasing stocking density resulted in significantly higher erucic acid (22:1n-9) and total saturated fatty acid levels at 0.6 and 0.9 kg m-3 densities, respectively. Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity was significantly elevated at 0.6 kg m-3, while total protein, glucose, and triglycerides slightly decreased with increasing stocking density. Results suggest that Pacific shortfin eel elvers can be reared in indoor tanks at a stocking density of 0.3 – 0.6 kg m-3 to achieve acceptable growth, feed performance, and health condition.This work was supported by grants from the Japan ASEAN Integration Fund (Br-02-Y2018B) and the Government of Japan-Trust Fund (8300-B-RD-FD0415 and 8300-B-RD-FD0120). The authors thank Mr. Nemencio Olorvida and the entire staff of SEAFDEC/AQD Binangonan Freshwater Station for the laboratory assistance