November 21, 2016

US soybean group hosts Philippine milkfish growers on study tour

The US Soybean Export Council (USSEC) recently hosted Filipino companies Finfish Hatcheries Inc. and Alsons Aquaculture Corp. on the Milkfish Hatcheries and High Value Marine Fish Hatcheries study tour in Gondol, Bali, Indonesia.

The USSEC study tour featured a presentation of Indonesia's milkfish and high-value marine fish industry and hatchery updates by the Institute for Mariculture Research and Development (IMRAD), and visits to different milkfish hatcheries and high-value marine fish hatcheries in Indonesia.

Staffs from the two Philippine companies were able to increase their knowledge and understanding of the Indonesian milkfish and high-value marine fish hatcheries, including broodstock management; breeding techniques; larval rearing and production; natural food production, usage and application; and fry/fingerling production and management.

They were also able to increase knowledge on the proper construction of hatchery structures.

The Philippines produced 384,425 metric tonnes (MT) of milkfish last year, with an estimated 900 million milkfish fry used. Finfish Hatcheries hopes to increase its milkfish fry production after this trip. The estimated milkfish feed requirement is about 840,000 to 920,000 MT.

USSEC technical consultants - aquaculture Mr. Levy Manalac and Mr. Pamudi, with the staffs of Finfish Hatcheries Inc. and Alsons Aquaculture Corp. from the Philippines with a technician of C.V. Dewata Laut hatchery in Bali, Indonesia, on October 26.