This year, the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center’s (SEAFDEC) Aquaculture Department (AQD) announced the harvest of over five tons of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) from its Dumangas Brackishwater Station in Iloilo province, Philippines. Conducted on September 10, 16, and 19, the series of harvests forms part of the department’s ongoing initiative, the ‘Oplan Balik Sugpo’ program, aimed at revitalizing the black tiger shrimp industry.

Locally known as sugpo or lukon, these shrimp were cultivated for 120 days in a pond, beginning with 200,000 fry produced at AQD’s Tigbauan hatchery. Stocked at a density of 25 pieces per square meter, the shrimp grew to an average weight of 28 grams, with a high survival rate of 89.78% and an efficient feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.39.

The Push for Sustainable Aquaculture

SEAFDEC’s focus on enhancing production efficiency is evident in the favorable FCR reported during this latest harvest. The FCR, which measures the efficiency of feed use in relation to animal growth, is a critical benchmark for aquaculture. A 2018 report from food systems platform TABLE cited typical FCRs for farmed shrimp ranging between 1.0 and 2.4, placing SEAFDEC’s 1.39 result within the higher efficiency spectrum. Such performance underscores the potential for improved sustainability in shrimp farming, a key focus of the ‘Oplan Balik Sugpo’ program.

Launched in 2017 by AQD chief Dan Baliao, the ‘Oplan Balik Sugpo’ program aims to revive the declining black tiger shrimp industry in the Philippines. In the 1990s, black tiger shrimp production was a thriving sector. In 1995 alone, the industry produced 88,815 tons of shrimp valued at PHP 19 billion (USD 333.8 million). However, productivity fell in the years that followed, leading to the introduction of the recovery initiative. The program focuses on improving local broodstock, enhancing biosecurity practices, and promoting sustainable farming methods to ensure long-term industry resilience.

Building Infrastructure for Growth

The current milestone harvest is part of a broader series of successes under the ‘Oplan Balik Sugpo’ program. SEAFDEC had previously achieved notable harvests in 2019, reaping over 7.2 tons of black tiger shrimp in just two months.

More recently, in July 2023, SEAFDEC-AQD inaugurated a state-of-the-art Black Tiger Shrimp Broodstock Facility as part of its 50th-anniversary celebration. Located at its Tigbauan station, the facility includes four 120-ton tanks designed to reduce dependence on wild shrimp spawners, which often carry diseases harmful to eggs and larvae. This strategic investment in infrastructure highlights SEAFDEC’s commitment to bolstering the sustainability and productivity of the shrimp farming sector.