Government Staged First Siganid Summit for Fisherfolks

Various government councils involved in aquaculture and marine life development and research staged for the fisherfolks of Pangasinan the First National Summit on Hatchery and Culture of Siganid (Rabbitfish). The event was held last March 10 –12, 2009 at the Asian Fisheries Academy, in Binloc, Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

The summit was jointly organized by the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center and National Fisheries and Development Institute (NFRDI) of the Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD) of the Department of Science and Technology.

The summit aims to gather information on the present practices and available technologies on siganids (Siganus spp.), identify gaps in the development of rabbitfish hatchery and culture industry, identify strategies for the formulation of a five-year road map for the industry, and prepare a resolution for the promotion of rabbitfish as high-value cultivable species.

Topics discussed during the event include:

• Taxonomy and Geographical Distribution of Siganids in the Philippines
• First Feeding in Wild Siganid Larvae Inferred from Otolith Microstructure
• Alge and Reproductive Potential of Domesticated Siganus guttatus Breeders
• Status of the Siganids Fry Production in Northern Mindanao
• Feed Quality and Nutrition Standards
• Nutritional Study on Siganids
• Feeds and feeding trials of siganids for culture
• Culture techniques for Siganids
• Cage Culture of Siganid
• Developments on Hatchery and Culture of Siganids
• Status & Prospects of Siganid Hatchery and Culture in the Philippines
• Broodstock Development & Hatchery Techniques
• Seagrass Ecosystems in Relation to Siganids
• Population Dynamics of Siganids
• Diseases & Emergency Preparedness
• Diseases of Siganids
• Best Aquaculture Practices Postharvest, Market & Trade, & Promotion
• Philippine National Standard for Dried Danggit
• Siganid Processing in Bantayan Island, Cebu
• Padas Processing in Pangasinan
• Improved Processing of Lamayo from Siganids in Puerto Princesa, Palawan

The First National Summit on Hatchery and Culture of Siganid is sponsored by Tateh Aquafeeds.