Mindanaotoday.com | BFAR-10, NFRDI boost partnership for improved fisheries biotech
By: Christine Lyn Viajante
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In its continuous efforts to advance the research and development of diagnosis and prevention of fish diseases throughout Northern Mindanao, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region-10 (BFAR-10) chalked out progressive collaborative projects with the Department of Agriculture’s National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), discussed during the bureau’s Management Committee (ManCom) meeting, Sept. 9, at NMBADTC, Lala, Lanao del Norte.
“Our deepest gratitude to you (NFRDI) for being open and cooperative with the need of BFAR to attain a sustainable project with the aim of culture’s longevity. It is with great trust to welcome these proposed collaborative projects with you,” said Teodoro Bacolod Jr., BFAR-10 regional director.
NFRDI recently collaborated with the bureau in a series of training on the operation of a fish health laboratory and hatchery and mentored thesis formulation with on-the-job trainees.
With the aim of reducing fisheries constraints and threats to aquaculture, the institute initiated numerous projects, in partnership with the bureau, ready for implementation.
This included the Development of an AquaBiz School for Mangrove Crab and Saline Tilapia Culture in Brackishwater Ponds and Broodstock Development of Developed Adaptable Red (DAR) Tilapia in Brackishwater Ponds.
“We have numerous project proposals lined up for the bureau which are all well-researched to be suitable for the livelihood of the fisherfolk in region 10. One of the things that I am excited about is our proposed freshwater prawn hatchery, which will soon be producing quality prawns, and will also serve as a center for prawn research in the region,” said Dr. Casiano Choresca, Jr., officer-in-charge of the Brackishwater Fisheries Research and Development Center of NFRDI.
Moreover, the bureau, NFRDI, and other collaborating agencies planned the establishment of an advanced diagnostic method for tilapia lake virus (TilV) and other emerging aquatic viruses through surveillance, profiling, and molecular disease diagnostics, as well as the development and application of molecular-based diagnostic techniques as a platform for advanced surveillance and detection of emerging bangus or viral disease syndrome. (CLV | BFAR-10)
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