WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • MARCH 2015 51 Charoen Pokhapand is the first shrimp hatchery in Mindanao that is equipped with modern tools and equipment and with the capability to monitor and analyze larvae for white spot syndrome virus (Fig. 9). The hatchery has the capacity to supply 50 million Pacific white shrimp post-larvae monthly. With current production at 20 million per month, production capacity of the hatchery has not yet been realized. This hatchery serves Mindanao but the bulk of its production serves the needs of Visayas and Luzon. Free technical assistance is provided to clients to assure success in growout culture. With more than two decades of shrimp hatchery operations in the country, Dobe International has gained a good reputation for production of quality post-larvae of Asian tiger shrimp previously and Pacific white shrimp now. This hatchery is based in Cebu but, with the large number of clients it serves in Mindanao, a nursery facility in Malapatan was established over a year ago. This facility can nurse 9 million post-larvae (PL6-7) monthly and, depending on the preference of buyers, post-larvae are ready for stocking in ponds when they reach PL13-15. Dobe International also caters to the demands for shrimp fry in Luzon and Visayas and it captures more than 90 percent of the shrimp larvae requirements in Mindanao. These three large hatcheries have strong linkages with the BFAR and academics. The hatcheries provide the finfish and shrimp larvae to students undertaking experiments in their undergraduate thesis or in usual laboratory experiments in their major courses at Mindanao State University (Fig. 10). Other Support Mindanao is very fortunate to have a feed mill of the leading feed company in the country, Santeh Feed Corporation. Santeh’s main feed mill plant is located at Calumpit Bulacan but, with the establishment of feed mill plants at Polomolok, South Cotabato and Cagayan de Oro City, fish farmers have access to good quality aquafeeds in the heart of Mindanao. This feed company manufactures aquafeeds of the highest quality in various forms (floating, sinking pellets, crumbles and mash) for a diverse range of aquaculture species (tilapia, milkfish, crab Scylla serrata, Asian tiger shrimp, Pacific white shrimp, grouper Epinephelus spp., seabass, pompano and rabbitfish Siganus spp). Despite an increasing number of competitors, Santeh’s commitment to quality continues to make them the leading feed company in Mindanao and all the Philippines (Fig. 11). The aquaculture industry in Mindanao receives strong support from agencies of the government, such as the BFAR as well as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). These agencies provide technical assistance in the culture of aquatic species and have programs to help fish farmers financially in the form of investment or equipment to improve production efficiency. With all the essential ingredients for success, there is no reason for Mindanao aquaculture not to reach its maximum and sustainable potential and continue to improve food security and alleviate poverty of the island’s population. Notes Arlyn Mandas, M.Sc., Associate Professor, College of Fisheries, Mindanao State University, General Santos City, Philippines, arlynmandas@yahoo.com Konrad Dabrowski, Professor, School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA, Dabrowski.1@osu.edu References BAS (Bureau of Agricultural Statistics). 2014. Fisheries Situation. Philippine Statistics Authority. Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. Republic of the Philippines. BFAR-ARMM (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao). 2014. Annual Report 2012. Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. ORG Compound, Cotabato City, Philippines. DA-BFAR (Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources). 2010. Fisheries Commodity Roadmap: Seaweeds. Department of Agriculture- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines DA-BFAR (Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources). Report on the investigation of fish kill occurence in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. DA-BFAR (Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources). 2014. Philippine Fisheries Profile 2012. Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. Dabrowski, K. 2013. Borlaug fellowship program final report. The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. Dela Cruz, P.M. 2013. Economic analysis of managing common property lake resources: The case of aquaculture in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. College of Economics and Management, University of the Philippines los Banos. An undergraduate thesis. Sarmiento, B.S. 2013. www.mindanews.com/ environment/2013/10/20/still-in-a-sorry-state-lake-sebu-stinksfor-days-due-to-fish. FIGURE 11. Mr. Phillip Ong, President of Santeh Feed Corporation, receives ISO certification from Mr. Renato Navarrete, Managing Director of Certification International Philippines.
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