Nonprofit research group Worldfish, together with Central Luzon State University’s Freshwater Aquaculture Center and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Researces, have led the project, “Evaluation of Nile Tilapia Strains for Aquaculture in the Philippines,” which is now beginning its second year.
“The goal of the project is to develop and make available the best strain of Nile tilapia for the industry,” said Dr. Tereso Abella, director of the university center. “We want the product of this research project widely disseminated to both large and small-scale tilapia farmers but higher priority will be given to small scale tilapia farmers to improve their production, and the quality of their lives.”
Exploring new tilapia strains has already shown some success in Africa, according to the results of a similar Worldfish project going on there.
Nile tilapia is the most cultured freshwater fish in the Philippines, and has driven an industry that remains a major part of the Philippine economy. Developing better strains, Abella said, will go a long way toward improving the lives of local fishermen, and providing a greater food source to the country.
“Tilapia in the Philippines is the fish of yesterday, the fish of today and the fish of tomorrow,” Abella said. “It is the people’s fish because it’s readily available, accessible and affordable to every ordinary Filipino.”
