An international fisheries research center based in Tigbauan, Iloilo province, is pushing for the promotion of pompano in the Philippines, saying it is “the next big thing” in the country’s aquaculture.”
“We have been actively researching the snubnose pompano since 2007, but in the past two years we have intensified our commercialization projects to show the industry that pompano farming is a good investment,” said Dan Baliao, chief of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (Seafdec/AQD).
Between January and August 2022, Baliao said Seafdec/AQD has harvested pompano 10 times from both marine cages and brackishwater ponds, netting a total of 14 tons of the high-value fish commodity through its multiple experimental runs.
The research center is also constructing a dedicated pompano hatchery at its Tigbauan headquarters to further boost its research and commercialization activities. The new facility has a rearing capacity of 80 tons and may also supply private farmers.
He also shared that Seafdec/AQD has already published research and continues to do studies on multiple fronts, including the development of a low-cost diet, strategies to accelerate growth in the nursery stage, reducing sea lice infestations, and preventing transmission of nervous necrosis virus that affects pompano breeders and larvae, Seafdec/AQD said in a news release.
‘World’s most edible fish’
Pompano is a delectable fish that needs no seasoning, no need for scaling, has few bones, fits perfectly on a pan, and whose mild and sweet flavor suits almost any recipe. It is no wonder it is called by some to be the “world’s most edible fish,” Seafdec/AQD said
This silvery fish, with a pearly white meat when cooked, is known as “apahan,” or “dawis lawin” in the Philippines. Its market price is between P300 and P500 per kilogram, depending on size, which is usually between 250 to 500 grams.
Pompano naturally inhabit coral reefs, but they also adapt well to being farmed in marine fish cages and brackishwater fishponds, where they grow fast and readily take in formulated feeds.
However, despite its proven culinary and aquaculture value worldwide, pompano is yet to take off in the Philippines. This is mainly because of the lack of the fish’s fingerlings to stock into cages and ponds, and sea lice infections.
Alternative to milkfish?
Because pompano is relatively easy to raise and uses the same pond and cage setup, Baliao said it is a good alternative to milkfish, the currently top-farmed fish in the Philippines, Seafdeac/AQD said.
“With its superior taste and premium value, pompano is something fish farmers should seriously consider. The Philippines just needs more investments in pompano hatcheries to provide the seeds that farmers will need,” he added.
He said Seafdec/AQD has been in close partnership with the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources since 2018 in designing and setting up multi-species hatcheries around the country.
“It will just be a matter of time. The technology to produce pompano is there, and Seafdec continues to add refinements every year. Help us commercialize our science, and you will soon taste and see that pompano is good,” he said.
Marine and brackish water culture
Seafdec/AQD has been raising pompano in marine fish cages for 14 years now, or since 2008, feeding them formulated feeds. A stocking density of 35 fish per cubic meter is used in the sea cages, which are 10 meters wide, 10 meters long, and 4 meters deep, its news release said.
In fish cage culture, fish can be stocked at higher densities, harvest is easier, and predation is more easily controlled. The constantly flowing water also provides abundant dissolved oxygen and flushes away waste products and unconsumed feeds.
The research center also raises the pompano in 5,000 square meter brackishwater ponds, with the salinity as low as 20 ppt, at a stocking density of 0.5 to two fish per square meter.
There are no expenses for nets and mooring in pond culture, and natural food can grow, reducing demand for commercial feeds.
Whether in cages or in ponds, it takes four to five months for the fish to reach marketable size.
Image credits: NG Armada