WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • JUNE 2019 37 such activities (Querijero and Mercurio 2016). Although water temperature, pH, salinity, transparency and dissolved oxygen (DO) did not significantly differ between the two areas over the 10-mo study period, DO and transparency were consistently lower where aquaculture was being practiced, with DO reaching a critical low in January and February. In mariculture areas around Bolinao and Anda, waters continued to be eutrophic, as indicated by high dissolved inorganic phosphorus concentration, some ten years after regulations were imposed to restrict the number of farming operations due to a harmful algal bloom and massive fish kill in the aquaculture on ecosystems are: 1) the proliferation of invasive species, 2) eutrophication of waters by effluents from the production system, 3) conversion of vulnerable and valuable natural ecosystems for aquaculture use, 4) transmission of diseases and 5) pressure on wild fish populations for production of fishmeal (Diana 2009). The degradation of water quality in ecosystems supporting aquaculture is still a major concern in the Philippines, particularly on the island of Luzon. In Taal Lake, concentrations of total dissolved solids, nitrates, and phosphates are significantly greater in samples from aquaculture cage sites than in areas without Philippine mariculture is primarily seaweed farming. Caulerpa lentillifera, commonly known as sea grapes, is grown on several seaweed farms in the country (Photo: J.A. Ragaza). Culture of different species of shrimps has been facing the challenge of production loss due to various diseases (Photo: J.A. Ragaza). TABLE 2. Themes of SEAFDEC/AQD research and development programs in the Philippines in 2015. Modified from SEAFDEC/AQD (2016). Program themes Number of programs Producing quality seed for sustainable aquaculture 23 Promoting healthy and wholesome aquaculture 23 Maintaining environmental integrity through responsible aquaculture 6 Meeting social and economic challenges in aquaculture 4 Reinforcement and optimization of fish health management and effective dissemination in the Southeast Asian Region 5 Environment-friendly, sustainable utilization and management of fisheries and aquaculture resources 4 (CONTINUED ON PAGE 38)
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