Marine resources development through biotechnology pushed
The need to identify the research gaps in fisheries biotechnology and developing strategies to address common concerns, and enhancing collaboration among the different research and development units from government agencies, universities, research and institutions and the fishery industry are the focus of discussions of the National Symposium on Fisheries and Aquatic Biotechnology currently held at the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) in Tigbauan, Iloilo.
SEAFDEC Chief, Dr. Joebert D. Toledo said that the two-day symposium is significant "because the Department of Agriculture is in the process of formulating an integrated ten-year biotechnology Research, Development and Extension program."
He said that the DA has commissioned a team of experts to evaluate biotechnology-related programs of the different institutions and agencies within the agriculture department. Among the recommendations of the team of experts was to have three core centers with the DA- PhilRice for crops, Philippine Carabao Center for livestock and SEAFDEC/AQD for fisheries.
SEAFDEC, he said has a Biotech Laboratory formally called the Laboratory for Advanced Aquaculture Technologies. He explained that the lab project at the SEAFDEC-AQD was a proposal submitted to the Government of Japan by the DA through NEDA. The request was for the assistance in the implementation of a project on "Increasing Aquaculture and Fisheries Production in the Philippines through the Application of Advanced Aquaculture Technologies for the Production of Quality Fish, Crustaceans, and Seaweeds."
Dr. Toledo said that the biotech project will focus on: genetic improvement in terms of enhanced growth rates and reproduction potential in important commercial species; development of disease resistant shrimp stocks; development of vaccines; production of bioactive materials that have potential use in aquaculture and industry; formulation of cost-effective environment-friendly feeds; application of probiotics and other strategies to improve water quality in aquaculture systems; facilitation of exchange of information and expertise between institutions having programs that complement those of SEAFDEC-AQD and BFAR; development of techniques for rapid detection of disease organisms; and promotion of proper management of freshwater and coastal marine resources.
The two-day symposium is a joint undertaking of the SEAFDEC-AQD and the University of the Philippines in the Visayas-National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.
(T.Villavert/PIA)