By Kenneth Marcos 
In a country where fish is a daily staple and millions depend on aquaculture for income, keeping aquatic animals healthy isn’t just a science—it’s a national priority.
To address the growing challenges in fish health and biosecurity, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), through its National Fisheries Laboratory Division (NFLD), held a major workshop on October 14–17 at Brentwood Suites in Quezon City. The goal: to craft a national strategy to protect aquatic organisms from disease, ensure safe food supply, and support sustainable aquaculture in the Philippines.
The event focused on creating the National Aquatic Organism Health Strategy (NAOHS)—a science-based plan to guide the country’s efforts in managing fish and seafood health risks. This strategy follows international standards set by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) under the Progressive Management Pathway for Aquaculture Biosecurity (PMP/AB).
The workshop brought together some of the world’s top experts in aquatic health and biosecurity. Among the key speakers were Dr. James Richard Arthur, Dr. Victoria Alday-Sanz, Dr. Celia R. Lavilla-Pitogo, and Dr. Melba G. Bondad-Reantaso. These experts shared best practices and lessons from other countries and regions to help the Philippines develop its own strong and responsive aquatic health system.
Participants included representatives from BFAR’s central and regional laboratories, the Department of Agriculture’s National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI), the Fisheries Biotechnology Center, and the Department of Science and Technology – PCAARRD. Research institutions such as SEAFDEC/AQD, Central Luzon State University (CLSU), and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) were also present. The private sector also played a key role, with companies like Feedmix Specialist Inc. II, Biosolutions Inc., Santeh Feeds Corporation, and the Philippine Tilapia Stakeholders Association Inc. joining discussions.
According to BFAR, this collaboration between government, science, and industry is vital in building an effective health strategy that can quickly respond to disease outbreaks, reduce losses for farmers, and keep fish products safe for consumers.
The Philippines remains one of the top producers of farmed fish in Southeast Asia, with tilapia, milkfish (bangus), and shrimp among its major aquaculture products. However, outbreaks of diseases such as tilapia lake virus and shrimp bacterial infections in past years have caused big losses for fish growers—some losing entire harvests in just a few days.
With climate change, pollution, and global trade increasing the risk of new diseases, BFAR stressed the urgent need for a strong national biosecurity system that includes early detection, rapid response, and community education.
The development of the NAOHS marks a step forward in protecting both the livelihood of Filipino fish farmers and the country’s food security. Once finalized, the strategy is expected to guide future policies, research programs, and farmer training in all regions of the country.
For millions of Filipino families who rely on aquaculture—from pond operators to street vendors selling daing and tinapa—healthier fish means better income, more stable food supply, and safer meals for the entire nation.
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