University of the Philippines Visayas College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences collaborated with Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division and Institutional Development Division (IARRD)  of the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) in organizing a training on hatchery production of green mussel spats this April 24-28, 2023 at UP Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo. 

Present during the opening program were representatives from the DOST-PCAARRD, headed by Dr. Adelaida T. Calpe, Director (IARRD),  Ms. Kristine Joy L. Tandang, SRS II/Mussel ISP Manager, Dr. Cynthia Almazan, Sr. SRS/Tilapia ISP Manager, Dr. Harold M. Monteclaro, UP Visayas Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, Dr. Rex Ferdinand Traifalgar, UPV CFOS-IA Director and Dr. Mary Jane Amar, Project leader of the Pilot Testing of the Green Mussel Hatchery Project together with her project staff, Dr. Lily Anne Piñosa and Ms. Ma. Novem Grace Ylayron. 

The participants of the training were representatives from Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) Aklan, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-National Fisheries Development Center (BFAR-NFDC) as well as from BFAR Regional Offices 1, 6, and 8. 

VCRE Dr. Harold M. Monteclaro said, “The demands are high in terms of utilization of mussels, and with this training, we hope that they will utilize what they will learn here to their respective LGUs”. 

The training aims to provide the participants with techniques on hatchery production of green mussel spats. Throughout the training, the participants will have an overview of the green mussel hatchery, broodstock packaging and transport, spawning, egg estimation, harvesting, and stocking as well as identify potential hatchery collaborators. 

This is the first batch of trainees and the project aims to continue reaching more participants to be trained in green mussel spat hatchery production.