The value of grey literature on climate change research in the Philippines: A bibliometric analysis

This study highlights the value of grey literature in climate change research in the Philippines, emphasizing its essential role in understanding the issue within the country’s unique socioeconomic and natural environment. A bibliometric analysis of publications in local journals reveals that various types and formats of grey literature are not merely supplementary but essential for communicating climate change, its effects, and adaptation strategies. Despite the prevalence of major publishers, a substantial amount of research in the country continues to be disseminated through local journals. However, these journals face significant challenges, including limited coverage in major databases and concerns about quality, which hinder their global recognition and impact. The findings recommend that the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) enhance the capacity of higher education institutions (HEIs) to improve the quality and credibility of local journals. This improvement would increase their visibility and reach, ensuring that the comprehensive body of Filipino research is preserved, recognized, and utilized in the global discourse on climate change. Consequently, this will foster a more inclusive and informed approach to understanding and addressing this global challenge.The authors acknowledge the support of Northern Iloilo State University in the completion of this research. This research was presented online at the Twenty-Fifth International Conference on Grey Literature, held on November 13-14, 2023

Seaweed health problems: Major limiting factors affecting the sustainability of the seaweed aquaculture industry in the Philippines

The Philippines remains one of the top eucheumatoid seaweed producers worldwide. However, the reported seaweed health problems affecting farms have been one of the reasons for the decline in seaweed production in the country. Outbreaks of “ice-ice” disease (IID), epiphytic pests, and grazing problems have significantly reduced biomass yields and compromised carrageenan quality, directly affecting the livelihood of tens of thousands of families dependent on seaweed farming. In this chapter, we listed seaweed health problems based on type-association with the host seaweed plant and highlighted factors contributing to farm problems. Additionally, recommendations are presented that are relevant to the protection of the long-term sustainability of the eucheumatoid seaweed farming industry in the Philippines

Effects of seawater temperature fluctuations on local communities through kelp production in the Pacific coastal area of eastern Hokkaido, Japan

Data on the landing value for each of the eight fisheries commodities in small-scale coastal fisheries in Nemuro City was collected and analyzed to understand the importance of kelp fishery in local communities along the Pacific coast of eastern Hokkaido. Over the past 25 years from 1991 to 2015, a trend in small-scale coastal fisheries in the region has significantly varied. However, in all year groups, the landing value of the kelps accounted for about 40% of its total value, indicating no significant change in its importance. The kelp fishery always has a profit center within the small- scale fisheries operations in the region. The influences of seawater temperature and the physical environmental factors of the seafloor on kelp production were investigated using GIS. Mean seawater temperatures in July, September, and October of the year before the harvest negatively correlated with the kelp harvest in Nemuro City from 2006 to 2014. The kelp length was mainly explained by the water temperatures in September and July of the year before the harvest, bottom current velocity, and water depth. These results indicate that the water temperature during summer and the seafloor physical environment have significant effect on kelp growth. Recent increases in seawater temperature along the Pacific coast of eastern Hokkaido during summer would significantly impact the local socio-economy through reduced kelp production.This study was mainly supported by the management expense grant of FRA, and its part was funded by KAKEN grant (22H05203, H. Kuroda) of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture

Pichia kudriavzevii as feed additive in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diet

Yeasts are unicellular eukaryotic microorganisms extensively employed in various applications, notably as an alternative source of protein in feeds, owing to their nutritional benefits. Despite their potential, marine and mangrove yeast species used in the aquaculture industry have received little attention in the Philippines. Pichia kudriavzevii (A2B R1 ISO 3), sourced from bark samples, was selected and mass-produced due to its high protein content and amino acid profile. The dried biomass of P. kudriavzevii was incorporated into the diets of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) juveniles at varying inclusion levels (0, 1, 2, and 4 g/kg diet) and its effect on their growth performance, body composition, and liver and intestinal morphology was assessed after 40 days of feeding. The groups that received P. kudriavzevii at a concentration of 2 g/kg diet exhibited higher final body weight, percent weight gain, and specific growth rate in comparison to the other treatment groups. Whole body proximate composition did not vary among the dietary groups. Intestinal and liver histopathology also indicated no abnormalities. These findings suggest the potential of ascomycetous P. kudriavzevii as a beneficial feed additive in Nile tilapia diets, warranting further investigation into its long-term effects and broader applications in fish culture.Department of Science and Technology—Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program (DOST-ASTHRDP), National Research Council of the Philippines—Project E-250, University of Santo Tomas, Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center—Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD), and the Government of Japan—Trust Fund (8300-B-RD-FD0120)

Field evaluation of hydrogen peroxide bath technique for controlling sea lice (Lepeoptheirus spinifer) infestation in snubnose pompano (Trachinotus blochii)

Sea lice infestations can pose significant challenges in the aquaculture sector, affecting fish health and overall production. In the search for effective and eco-friendly solutions, hydrogen peroxide bath treatment has been considered as one of the promising methods. This is the first study to evaluate the field efficacy of hydrogen peroxide bath technique against sea lice infestation on cage-cultured snubnose pompano (Trachinotus blochii). Sea lice was identified as Lepeophtheirus spinifer using morphological description. Naturally-infested snubnose pompano stocked in 2 × 3 × 2 m3 net cages at 15 fish/cage at the Igang Marine Station of SEAFDEC/AQD, in Guimaras, Philippines were treated in triplicates with two hydrogen peroxide concentrations (1500 and 2000 ppm) in comparison to a control (seawater only) for 20 minutes at 32.8 ± 0.7 ppt and 28.9 ± 0.3 °C and were monitored at 3rd and 7th day post-treatment. The total mean intensity of sea lice, mean intensity per life stages (copepodid, chalimus I, chalimus II, pre-adult I, pre-adult II, adult male and adult female), and the 12-h viability of scraped male and adult female L. spinifer from the treatment groups were evaluated. The total mean intensity of sea lice in the treated groups at 3 day post-treatment was significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.001). A possible re-infection of sea lice was observed 7 days post-treatment as explained by the slight increase in the mean intensity in the treated groups. However, no mortalities of pompano were recorded throughout the experiment. In addition, adult female lice were absent in the treated group while adult male lice were only detected in the 1500 ppm treatment group at a very low mean intensity. The viability test also showed that all sea lice were not able to recover after 12 h whereas a 100 % recovery rate was noted in the control group. Results suggest that the 1500 and 2000 ppm hydrogen peroxide concentrations are effective in reducing sea lice infestation on cage-cultured snubnose pompano. However, a long-term effect of hydrogen peroxide treatment on sea lice needs further investigation.The authors thank the Technology Verification and Extension Division (Study Code: TV-08-F2021I) of SEAFDEC/AQD for funding this study

AQD Matters 2023 July - August

In this issue: 1) SEAFDEC/AQD's new facilities to boost milkfish, shrimp production; 2) Chief Baliao graces bilateral talk between PH, Papua New Guinea; 3) Executive Committee members engage in dialogue at global aquaculture conference; 4) Strengthening bonds and cultivating skills: The SEAFDEC/AQD OJT Program; 5) Week-long 50th anniversary celebration; 6) 6 Aquaculture manuals unveiled in SEAFDEC/AQD's 30th book launching; 7) Filipinos, Thais train on marine fish hatchery; 8) Fish farmers, stakeholders gather for Farmer's Forum; 9) Training in marine fish hatchery organized for MAFAR-BARMM; 10) SEAFDEC/AQD at 37th PH Chemistry Congress in Bacolod; 11) More lab services accredited to meet international standard

Alternate day feeding as a cost-effective strategy for tank culture of the Pacific shortfin eel Anguilla bicolor pacifica

There is a growing interest in the aquaculture of tropical anguillid eels as an export commodity. However, studies on feeding strategies, and the present demand to reduce feed costs need to be addressed to ensure the economic viability of eel farming. In this study, the effects of daily (DF) and alternate day (ADF) feeding on growth, feed utilization, body composition, blood chemistry, liver and intestinal morphology, and economic viability in the Pacific shortfin eel Anguilla bicolor pacifica were examined. Each feeding group of 30 elvers (166.25 ± 16.23 g mean initial wt) were randomly stocked in triplicate 4 m3 outdoor concrete tanks. These were fed for 155 d with formulated eel powder diet (49.77% crude protein; 10.21% crude lipid) made into a paste. Growth and survival were not significantly different between the two feeding groups. However, feed efficiency was improved in the ADF group, with significantly higher protein efficiency ratio (0.63) than in the DF group (0.39). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lower in ADF (3.85) than in the DF group (6.44), resulting in a 40% reduction in total feed consumption. Biometric indices, body proximate composition, and blood chemistry were not significantly affected. Likewise, liver and intestinal morphology showed no apparent alterations between groups. Partial costs-and-returns analysis showed that ADF yielded higher net profit and profit index. These results suggest that feeding on alternate days promote compensatory growth, better feed utilization, and normal physiological condition of A. bicolor pacifica, and reduce feed cost in the rearing process. Therefore, alternate day feeding should be promoted as a sound feed management strategy in the tank culture of tropical anguillid eels.This study was supported by the Japan ASEAN Integration Fund (Br-02-Y2018B) and the Government of Japan-Trust Fund (8300-B-RD-FD0415 and 8300-B-RD-FD0120)

Fresh chilled and fresh frozen shrimps and prawns – Product standard

This Standard applies to fresh chilled and fresh frozen raw shrimps and prawns, which may be whole, deheaded, peeled, and peeled and deveined. This document applies to shrimps and prawns of the Penaeidae, Pandalidae, Crangonidae, Palaemonidae families but not limited to the species listed in Annex A (Commercially available shrimps and prawns species in the Philippines)

Lime application to condition soil to pH 11 controls growth of harmful vibrios and WSSV

Shrimp farming has been devastated by several diseases. Disease outbreaks can be prevented by optimising environmental conditions or by eliminating risks factors including carrier organisms. These can be achieved through proper pond preparation. One important step in pond preparation is the application of hydrated lime. This paper describes the effect of hydrated lime application to condition pond soil to pH 11 on the pond ecosystem, more specifically on soil pH and biota. The experiment was done using three 600 m2 brackish water ponds. After hydrated lime application, the wet soil pH on the 1st-8th day was significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to the pH before liming to pH 11, and flushing after flooding for 24 h. Soil pH of 11 was observed 24-48h after lime application. Moreover, unwanted species like crabs and fish were found dead. Liming to pH 11 negatively affects the counts of green vibrio colonies thereby decreasing the percentage of green vibrios (PGV). In another experiment, three 750m2 earthen ponds were used. The pond soils were previously positive for the Whitespot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), hydrated lime were applied to bring the pond soil pH to 11. After lime application, WSSV was not detected in the pond soils. Results showed that increasing the soil pH to ≥11 positively affects the pond ecosystem. Liming encourages the proliferation of yellow vibrios and the eradication of carrier species (i.e. crabs) as well as predators (i.e. fish) in the ponds. Furthermore, liming to pH 11 may also eradicate White spot virus from the pond sediment. To implement a 1-unit increase in wet pH, hydrated lime should be applied at 2T/ha.The study was funded by the Government of Japan (GoJ), under the trust fund awarded to SEAFDEC/AQD (study code: 8300-T-RD-FH0710)