The Philippine Journal of Fisheries

04/11/2025

Guava leaves (𝘗𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘫𝘢𝘷𝘢) aren’t just good for people—they might also help keep fish healthy! This study explored how adding guava leaves to fish feed could improve the growth, immunity, and survival of common carp (𝘊𝘺𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘪𝘰).

Researchers tested different amounts of powdered guava leaves mixed into the feed:
• T0: No guava leaves (control)
• T1: 1 gram per 100 grams of feed
• T2: 1.5 grams per 100 grams
• T3: 2 grams per 100 grams
• T4: 2.5 grams per 100 grams

A total of 300 young carp (about 4 grams each) were kept in slightly salty water for 60 days. They were fed regularly and later exposed to 𝘈𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘺𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢, a common fish pathogen, to test their immune strength.

The results showed better growth and stronger immune responses compared to those that did not. The best results came from 𝗧𝟮 (𝟭.𝟱 𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗴 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱). These fish showed the highest growth rates and better resistance to disease.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the T2 results:
• Gained about 15.24 g in weight and 5.27 cm in length
• Grew at 2.01% per day
• Had good feed efficiency (FCR of 1.66)
• Showed healthy blood values and a survival rate of 83%

To learn more, read the full article here https://doi.org/10.31398/tpjf

Please help us serve you better. For feedback on our publications and other IECs, please go to: https://tinyurl.com/32scfeee

The Philippine Journal of Fisheries (TPJF) is a semi-annual, open-access journal published by the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI). TPJF is indexed in Scopus, Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstract, Directory of Open Access Journals, and ASEAN Citation Index, among others.

In the photo: The first plate is pellets and the second is guava leaf flour.

08/10/2025

Milkfish (𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘴) is one of the country’s most important aquaculture species, but anyone who’s eaten it knows the struggle—the many tiny “spicule-like” intermuscular bones make it hard to process and eat. This study looked closely at how these bones form and develop as the fish grow, from larvae to sub-adults.

Using special bone-staining and tissue-clearing techniques, researchers tracked how the bones—classified as epineurals, epipleurals, and epicentrals—develop and harden over time. They found that bone formation starts from the back and moves forward, with the front bones being the most complex. A molecular test also detected two genes (𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘹2𝘣 and 𝘣𝘮𝘱6) that may play a role in bone formation.

These findings provide a useful baseline for future research on how to reduce or remove these tiny bones through selective breeding, making milkfish easier to process, safer to eat, and more appealing in the market.

To learn more, read the full article here https://doi.org/10.31398/tpjf

Please help us serve you better. For feedback on our publications and other IECs, please go to: https://tinyurl.com/32scfeee

The Philippine Journal of Fisheries (TPJF) is a semi-annual, open-access journal published by the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI). TPJF is indexed in Scopus, Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstract, Directory of Open Access Journals, and ASEAN Citation Index, among others.

In the photo: Study’s Figure 5. Representative sample showing the development of intermuscular bones (IB) in 250 mm commercial-sized milkfish. At this stage, many of the bones in milkfish have ossified, including the bones of the head region, as indicated by purplish-red staining (A).

01/10/2025

These training modules are free to download!

|| Five new training modules are now available for FREE DOWNLOAD. The publications were launched during the 11th Fisheries Scientific Conference held on September 24, 2025.

Scan the QR code on the photos or click here to download:

1. Oyster culture using modified bamboo raft technology - https://repository.nfrdi.da.gov.ph/items/0548b7b4-fafb-4911-9bf1-0a0233ffdaae

2. Nursery culture of mangrove crabs on pond net cages - https://repository.nfrdi.da.gov.ph/items/8abcc1fd-d758-4c17-b2fd-0ac676e7516c

3. Grow-out culture of tilapia in brackishwater ponds - https://repository.nfrdi.da.gov.ph/items/266288f5-cc8c-4600-8835-096a207d97bd

4. Grow-out culture of tilapia in freshwater ponds - https://repository.nfrdi.da.gov.ph/items/12f36127-9ac9-4a3d-a469-17aaf30a8ac8

5. Grow-out culture of milkfish in brackishwater ponds
https://repository.nfrdi.da.gov.ph/items/e1435fc7-dfc1-488e-bb70-5cd16dfa17e8

30/09/2025

𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

Join us as DA-NFRDI conducts "𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗞𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗮: 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀" on October 2, 2025, via Zoom and Facebook Live.

This activity aims to provide knowledge support on aquatic ecology and resource-related topics and boost the confidence of aspiring fisheries professionals preparing for the Licensure Board Examination.

Register here: https://bit.ly/FKRFTrev2025
or scan the QR code

See you there!

23/09/2025

Hear from our very own Editor-in-Chief Doc Mudjie Santos as he explains some of the processes involved in managing a scientific journal.

23/09/2025

Sharing from Behind The Science Podcast

📢 NEW EPISODE 📢
In this episode, Dr. Melanie Villarao talked about her study “Reproductive Biology and Population Dynamics of Largehead Hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus Linnaeus, 1758) in Babuyan Channel, Philippines.” They analyzed nearly 2,600 specimens of T. lepturus to determine sex ratio, fecundity, spawning seasonality, length at first maturity, and key population parameters that are essential for the sustainable management of this important commercial species.

🎙️Stream Behind The Science Podcast on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4NTLrSfceKjpFvZWflzBJj...
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist...
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../behind-the.../id1753464681

📚Research spotlight:
Villarao MC, Gumiran E, Encarnacion AB. 2023. Population Dynamics of Shortfin Scad (Decapterus macrosoma) Bleeker 1851 in Babuyan Channel, Philippines. The Philippine Journal of Fisheries 30(2):212-228. https://doi.org/10.31398/tpjf/30.2.2019C0003

📢 NEW EPISODE 📢
In this episode of Behind the Science Podcast, we talk with Dr. Melanie Villarao about her study “Reproductive Biology and Population Dynamics of Largehead Hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus Linnaeus, 1758) in Babuyan Channel, Philippines.” They analyzed nearly 2,600 specimens of T. lepturus to determine sex ratio, fecundity, spawning seasonality, length at first maturity, and key population parameters that are essential for the sustainable management of this important commercial species.

🎙️Stream Behind The Science Podcast on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4NTLrSfceKjpFvZWflzBJj?si=a6913c304530471d
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg3GZRd-UMScYpWlDj5T3eklUF75XPeLD&si=kmxO_0x2HmQmvzvQ
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/behind-the-science-podcast/id1753464681

🤝 Behind The Science Podcast is presented to you by Marine & Earth Science Learning Hub, UP Resilience Institute, UPLB Philippine Agricultural Scientist Journal, The Philippine Journal of Fisheries, and Paase: The Filipino Scientist.

📚Research spotlight:
Villarao MC, Gumiran E, Encarnacion AB. 2023. Population Dynamics of Shortfin Scad (Decapterus macrosoma) Bleeker 1851 in Babuyan Channel, Philippines. The Philippine Journal of Fisheries 30(2):212-228.
► https://nfrdi.da.gov.ph/tpjf/vol30_2/research-article-villarao-3022019C0003

23/09/2025

The Babuyan Channel is a spawning ground for the Largehead Hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus Linnaeus, 1758). A recent study by Villarao et al. (2023) analyzed 2,597 samples found that fishing pressure in the area has already surpassed sustainable levels, putting this important species at risk.

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In episode 87 of Behind the Science Podcast, we talk with Dr. Melanie Villarao about her study “Reproductive Biology and Population Dynamics of Largehead Hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus Linnaeus, 1758) in Babuyan Channel, Philippines.” They analyzed nearly 2,600 specimens of T. lepturus to determine sex ratio, fecundity, spawning seasonality, length at first maturity, and key population parameters that are essential for the sustainable management of this important commercial species.

🎧Listen on Spotify
►https://open.spotify.com/show/4NTLrSfceKjpFvZWflzBJj?si=9efce6e238354107

📚Reference:
Villarao MC, Gumiran E, Encarnacion AB. 2023. Population Dynamics of Shortfin Scad (Decapterus macrosoma) Bleeker 1851 in Babuyan Channel, Philippines. The Philippine Journal of Fisheries 30(2):212-228.
► https://nfrdi.da.gov.ph/tpjf/vol30_2/research-article-villarao-3022019C0003

23/09/2025

All set for tomorrow’s 11th Fish SciCon, and we are going paperless!

Be ahead of the tide, access the 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 now by scanning the QR code and downloading your copy.

Or visit the Fish SciCon website 👉 https://nfrdi.da.gov.ph/scicon/

23/09/2025

Rain or shine, the wait is almost over, 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟭 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟭𝟭𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗖𝗼𝗻!

And speaking of 1, NFRDI has recently launched a groundbreaking initiative: a 1st-ever captive breeding program for tamban in Philippine fisheries R&D, led by Dr. Maria Theresa Mutia. This pioneering effort aims to support aquaculture and help stabilize the country’s sardine supply.

For decades, the focus has been on managing wild stocks. But with growing pressure on these resources and the threat of supply instability, research and innovation now pave the way for sustainable alternatives.

Know more about this research initiative. SEA you tomorrow!

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For updates, visit: https://nfrdi.da.gov.ph/scicon/

16/09/2025

We are now officially a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)! 🥳

COPE is a non-profit membership organization that provides support, resources, and best practices in publication ethics for editors, publishers, institutions, and researchers globally.

Just go to bit.ly/TPJFCOPE or scan the QR code to check out our COPE profile.

TPJF is also indexed in Scopus, Directory of Open Access Journals, Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstract, and ASEAN Citation Index.

Visit our website https://doi.org/10.31398/tpjf

16/09/2025

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 for the 𝟭𝟭𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 with the theme: “𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘍𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦” on September 24-25, 2025 at Royce Hotel, Clark Freeport, Mabalacat, Pampanga.

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗟 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥𝗦

𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘍𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴:
Divina Ignacio, BFAR 9
Francisco Torres Jr., NFRDI
Dr. Romina Yutuc, BFAR 3
Princess Mae Cena, BFAR 10

𝘈𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦:
Cristan Joy Campo, NFRDI
Arnel Santiago, AR Santiago Agri-Fishery Farm
Dr. Frolan Aya, SEAFDEC/Aquaculture Department
Dr. Sitti Zayda Halun, MSU Tawi-Tawi

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Register as an online participant: https://scicon.nfrdi.da.gov.ph/register

For updates, visit: https://nfrdi.da.gov.ph/scicon/
For query, email: [email protected]

Hope to see you all there!

16/09/2025

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 for the 𝟭𝟭𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 with the theme: “𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘍𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦” on September 24-25, 2025 at Royce Hotel, Clark Freeport, Mabalacat, Pampanga.

𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥𝗦
Jessica Muñoz, 𝘉𝘍𝘈𝘙 𝘍𝘐𝘚𝘏𝘊𝘖𝘙𝘌
Dr. Maria Theresa Mutia, 𝘕𝘍𝘙𝘋𝘐 𝘍𝘐𝘚𝘏𝘊𝘖𝘙𝘌
Dr. Severino Salmo III, 𝘜𝘗 𝘋𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘯

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Register as an online participant: https://scicon.nfrdi.da.gov.ph/register

For updates, visit: https://nfrdi.da.gov.ph/scicon/
For query, email: [email protected]

Hope to see you all there!