NFRDI Philippines

|| Mudfish (𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘢), locally known as dalag or haruan, has long held a quiet but enduring place in Southeast Asian food culture, not just prized for its rich taste, but also valued in traditional accounts for its supposed medicinal benefits. In the Philippines, it continues to appear consistently among the country’s top aquaculture commodities. In recent years, national output has declined significantly, a trend linked to persistent bottlenecks in hatchery efficiency and limited availability of quality fry. Recognizing this gap, researchers from DA - Fisheries Biotechnology Center (FBC), in collaboration with BFAR-NFFTC and MSU Naawan, explored the effects of photoperiod manipulation on hatchery performance. Photoperiod, or the duration of light exposure, is known to influence feeding behavior, metabolism, and fish growth.

READ FULL ARTICLE: https://nfrdi.da.gov.ph/2026/06/01/feature-lighting-the-way-24-hour-illumination-for-mudfish/

|| Following the completion of the theoretical component of the production carrying capacity assessment training, personnel from BFAR regions 3, 4A, 4B, and 5 advanced to the practical phase of the learning series through the “Hands-on Training on Environmental Assessment for the Production Carrying Capacity of Marine Finfish Aquaculture” held on May 25–29, 2026 in Barangay Alwa, Palauig, Zambales.

The activity was facilitated by DA-NFRDI through the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FISHCORE) Program under the FishCRRM 1.2 Carrying Capacity Project. As part of the project's second phase, the training equipped participants with practical skills in conducting environmental assessments and operating the scientific instruments used in production carrying capacity studies.

Read full article: https://nfrdi.da.gov.ph/2026/06/02/nfrdi-facilitates-field-based-training-on-carrying-capacity-assessment-in-zambales/

|| A team from the Climate Risk Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) Project, implemented by DA-NFRDI under the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FISHCORE) Program, conducted a five-day training workshop on May 25-29, 2026 in Tibiao, Antique.

The activity marks the first rollout of the CRVA Project outside its priority sites in Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs) 6 and 9, following a formal request from the local government unit (LGU) of Tibiao.

“We are deeply grateful to NFRDI for accommodating our request and for sharing valuable knowledge and insights that will help us innovate and adapt climate-resilient technologies. We, at LGU of Tibiao, wholeheartedly support these initiatives and training programs as we work together toward a better and more resilient future for our municipality,” said Tibiao Mayor Klemens Bandoja.

Read full article: https://nfrdi.da.gov.ph/2026/06/02/crva-training-expands-beyond-priority-fmas-with-first-rollout-in-tibiao-antique/

Sharing from NFRDI-Freshwater Fisheries Research and Development Center

The NFRDI-FFRDC in Butong, Taal, Batangas congratulates the four BS Fisheries students from Central Luzon State University (CLSU) for completing their On-the-Job Training (OJT) program from April 27 to June 1, 2026.

The students gained valuable hands-on experience in the Marine Farm, Freshwater Farm, Laboratory, and Administrative/Office Units. They also attended lectures on aquaculture, laboratory operations, and capture fisheries, helping them strengthen both their knowledge and practical skills.

|| Technical staff of NFRDI-Fisheries Postharvest Research and Development Division (FPHRDD), conducted a training-workshop on Response Surface Methodology (RSM) on April 15–17, 2026, at the NFRDI Conference Room in Quezon City.

RSM is a statistical technique used to determine how different factors influence a process or product and to identify the combination of conditions that produces the best results. It is widely applied in research and development to improve efficiency, quality, and performance.

The training aimed to enhance the participants’ skills in designing experiments, developing predictive models, and optimizing postharvest processes. It was facilitated by Ian Carlo Naguit and Marie Joy Relente of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

Read full article: https://nfrdi.da.gov.ph/2026/06/01/researchers-skills-in-process-optimization-enhanced-through-rsm-training-workshop/

|| Climbing perch (𝘈𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘴), locally known as 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘬𝘰, 𝘭𝘪𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘰, 𝘱𝘶𝘺𝘰, or 𝘱𝘶𝘱𝘶𝘺𝘰, is a resilient freshwater species celebrated for its ability to survive in low-oxygen waters and even move short distances on land, earning it the nickname “walking fish.” Despite its hardiness in the wild, its aquaculture potential has been limited by the fragility of its eggs and larvae, which makes large-scale hatchery production challenging and heavily reliant on wild catch.

To address this, researchers from the DA - Fisheries Biotechnology Center (FBC), in collaboration with MSU–Naawan and BFAR-NFFTC, developed improved breeding and seed production techniques for controlled tank and cage systems. The study provides an optimized hatchery protocol that enhances breeding success, larval survival, and production efficiency, offering promising opportunities for sustainable aquaculture development while supporting conservation of wild stocks in the Philippines.

READ FULL ARTICLE: https://nfrdi.da.gov.ph/2026/05/28/reviving-climbing-perch-through-science-based-hatchery-techniques/

#𝗦𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗦 || Through his internship at the NFRDI Library, Francis Jonathan Mangwag, a Bachelor of Library and Information Science student from Cagayan State University, gained valuable insights into the unique role and specialization of the Library Section. Guided by supportive supervisors and mentors, he developed not only his professional skills in Library and Information Science but also personal growth and a deeper appreciation of learning and service.

The Students’ Training Support (STrainS) program is an internship program for high school and college students seeking training at DA-NFRDI. It aims to provide real-life work learning experiences to help them transition from students to professionals.

For more information, visit: https://nfrdi.da.gov.ph/internship/

#𝗝𝗼𝗯𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 || DA-NFRDI is in need of the following:

one (1) Administrative Assistant IV
one (1) Science Research Specialist I
one (1) Administrative Aide VI

Submit your application via: bit.ly/NFRDIRecruitment

Deadline: not later than 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟯𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

For details: https://nfrdi.da.gov.ph/job-opportunities/

|| Freshwater eels are a high-value aquaculture commodity prized in global markets, particularly in Asia, due to their strong demand and cultural significance. However, disease outbreaks remain a major challenge to eel farming, often causing significant financial losses and threatening production sustainability. To address this, researchers from the DA - Fisheries Biotechnology Center (FBC), hosted by DA-NFRDI, conducted a study on disease outbreaks in cultured tropical freshwater eels and documented a case of mass mortality caused by the parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (“ich”), highlighting the importance of scientific research in improving disease management and sustaining eel aquaculture.

READ FULL ARTICLE: https://nfrdi.da.gov.ph/2026/05/27/understanding-the-ich-in-freshwater-eel-farming/