Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division - IARRD

13/08/2026

Tilapia has long been one of the most affordable and accessible fish commodities in the Philippines. 🐟

Ever wondered whether the tilapia on your plate is male or female? But before we get to that…

Did you know that s*x reversal in tilapia was explored by a Filipino scientist and researcher as early as 1972?

Get to know Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero, III, known as the Father of Sex-Reversed Tilapia and discover his journey in exploring hormonal s*x-reversal techniques that helped shape tilapia aquaculture!

As we acknowledge his significant contributions in tilapia industry, we would also like to greet Dr. Guerrero, a belated happy birthday! We express our gratitude to your continued commitment to supporting programs for the aquatic sector.

Let us talk more about tilapia and other aquatic commodities! Make sure to follow our page. 💬

05/08/2026

CHECK THIS OUT: Strengthening Samar's Mussel Industry through S&T, and Collaboration

Following the recent reassessment of Samar's mussel industry, the Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division (IARRD), in partnership with Dr. Reynold D. Tan of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), conducted a series of consultation meetings on July 27–28, 2026 to present science- and technology-based interventions for possible refinement, adoption, and collaborative implementation. ✨

The series of meetings consulted key stakeholders, including the Provincial Government of Samar, OPFO-PLGU Samar, BFAR Provincial Fisheries Office (PFO) Samar, DOST Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) Samar, Samar State University (SSU), UP Tacloban College (UPTC), the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Jiabong, DENR Region VIII, and BFAR Region VIII. The discussions emphasized the importance of multi-agency collaboration in forwarding science, technology, and innovation (STI) to strengthen the province's mussel industry.

The proposed technologies cover the entire mussel value chain from hatchery and nursery production to grow-out, post-harvest handling, processing, and value addition. These aim to maximize natural seedbed utilization, improve seed supply, expand culture areas, enhance production efficiency, and ensure the safety and quality of mussels.

Through sustained collaboration among government, academe, and other stakeholders, the initiative seeks to promote sustainable mussel production, improve food security, and create more improved livelihood opportunities for coastal communities in Samar. 📝

23/07/2026

IN PHOTOS: Training on Post-Harvest Handling, Fermentation Technology, and Business Entrepreneurship for Philippine Green Mussels

The Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division, together with the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), successfully conducted a training on low-salt mussel sauce production in Abucay, Bataan, on July 21-23, 2026. The training aimed to equip participants with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills needed for the successful production of low-salt mussel sauce. ✨✨

The participants included members of fisherfolk associations in Abucay, Bataan; representatives from the local government units (LGUs) of Samal, Orion, and Limay; stakeholders from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region III; and the Office of the Provincial Agriculture. Their participation reflected a shared commitment to enhancing post-harvest practices and promoting the adoption of the low-salt mussel sauce technology developed by UPV with the goal of creating value-added products and expanding livelihood opportunities for local communities.

Through the guidance of resource speakers Ms. Ernestina M. Peralta and Dr. Reynold Tan, together with the project team from the University of the Philippines Visayas, participants took part in hands-on training on the assessment and evaluation of post-harvest handling scenarios, as well as the pre-processing steps involved in producing low-salt mussel sauce.

Overall, the training enhanced the participants' knowledge and practical skills in post-harvest handling, fermentation technology, and value-added processing, while promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities through the production of low-salt mussel sauce. 📈

22/07/2026

M-eye fry counter prototype. (Image credit: DOST-MIRDC Project team) To improve the fry counting process in local hatcheries, the M-eye Fry...

22/07/2026

The Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division extends its warmest congratulations to one of its esteemed project leaders and technical evaluators, Dr. Christopher Marlowe A. Caipang for being verified and recognized among the World's Top 5% Scientists in the 2025 SciRank Global Registry through rigorous bibliometric analysis. 🌏

The 2025 Global Scientist Index evaluated more than 8 million active researchers and 20 million scholarly publications from OpenAlex, the world's largest open research database. Only researchers who ranked within the top 5% based on the Normalized Composite Score qualify for certification.

This recognition reflects your commitment to forwarding science and contributing to the global scientific community. May your passion for excellence continue to inspire researchers and enable them to explore their potential in R&D.

Congratulations, Dr. Christopher Caipang! 👏

17/07/2026

Tahong farmers preparing and cleaning tahong for selling and supplying purposes. (Image credit: Rizza B. Ramoran) Fresh mussel or ‘tahong’ in...

11/07/2026

READ: Invasive mussel turns to an animal feed through a project implemented by Mindanao State University-Naawan. 👀👀

INVASIVE TO USEFUL 🦪

An invasive mussel spreading in Philippine waters may have a useful role in animal feed.

DOST-PCAARRD featured a project studying Mytella strigata, also known as the charru or black mussel, as an alternative protein and calcium source for poultry and aquaculture feeds.

The project, “Pest to feed: The potential use of non-indigenous mussel Mytella strigata as wet and dry feed,” evaluated the mussel as dry feed for broiler chickens and wet feed for mangrove crabs.

Mytella strigata is considered invasive because it can spread rapidly and form dense populations. DOST-PCAARRD said it can disrupt native biodiversity, alter local food webs, and cause biofouling problems in aquaculture and fishing industries.

But the same mussel also contains nutrients that may be useful in feed production. According to DOST-PCAARRD, mussel meat reached up to 77.68% crude protein, while unshucked mussels had 33.56% crude protein. Its shell meal also contained 33.43% calcium, a nutrient important for bone development and eggshell formation in poultry.

Feeding trials showed that mussel meat could replace fishmeal at 6% to 15% inclusion levels without compromising broiler growth and health performance. For mangrove crabs, the project recorded improved weight gain, higher survival rates, higher gonadosomatic index values, and better reproductive readiness.

The findings may help guide feed formulation while supporting efforts to manage the spread of a non-indigenous mussel species.

From pest to feed, Mytella strigata shows how science can turn an environmental problem into a possible resource for farmers, aquaculture, and local food systems.

25/06/2026

“Happy Pride Month!” ika nga ng mga baklang alimango a.k.a immature female crabs ngayong June. 🦀🏳️‍🌈

Before June ends, did you know? The s*x of mangrove crabs can be identified externally. Immature female mangrove crabs, locally known as “bakla,” have a small, triangular-shaped abdominal flap.

These mangrove crabs are highly valued in the market because of their larger size, higher meat yield, and lower amounts of fatty vitellogenic tissue. As they mature, their abdominal flap gradually becomes wider and semi-circular.

Nature has always been diverse and our aquatic ecosystems are no exception. From mangroves to open waters, every organism plays a role in keeping our ecosystems alive. Science teaches us that there is room for everyone to belong. 🌈

23/06/2026

ATM: Program and Terminal Review of DOST-MIRDC Projects 📝🎯

15/06/2026

In his annual State of Department Address (SODA), Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. congratulates the science agency for its achievements and opportunities within and outside the country, allowing Filipino ingenuity to be recognized internationally.

On June 13, 2026, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) celebrated its 68th anniversary.