Local authorities aim to resurrect thriving prawn industry of the Philippines through technology

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Local aquaculture authorities are looking into the possibility of using a recirculating shrimp aquaculture system, which would help farmers avoid bacterial outbreaks that devastated numerous shrimp breeding facilities in the past. The Aquaculture Department (AQD) of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) based in Tigbauan, Iloilo, recently announced that it intends to bring back the country’s Tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) industry. The initiative is being called Oplan Balik Sugpo (Operation Plan Bring Back the Prawn). SEAFDEC/AQD said its new chief aims to launch an effective breeding program with SPF (specific pathogen free) broodstock, disease-resistant post larvae, and refined grow-out with intensive and semi-intensive technology. “The technology was best described as low-discharge system, closed-recirculating shrimp farming and/or mangrove-friendly shrimp farming,” according to SEAFDEC. This is aimed at resurrecting the thriving prawn industry of the country.