The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and private company Trading Room, manufacturer of Eco Life, have signed a Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) to develop immunoactive and growth-promoting aqua feed made from ulva or seaweed. The project is envisioned to boost the production of organic, seaweed-based feeds for aquatic species such as fish, shrimps and tilapia.
UP Visayas Chancellor Clement Camposano and Trading Room Managing Director Obi Roco signed the agreement. They were joined by Senior Science Research Specialist Fedelia Flor Mero of the DOST- Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD); Dr. Rex Ferdinand Traifalgar of UPV-DOST; Director Dr. Reynold Tan of UPV’s Technology Transfer and Business Development Office; and UPV’s Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Harold Monteclaro.
“The agreement signifies the joint commitment of the academe and industry in advancing research and development in the country,” said Ms. Mero. “With a focus on creating a positive impact on the agriculture and aquaculture sectors, the DOST-PCAARRD, through its Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division, remains dedicated to supporting projects like this to ensure that we are working towards nourishing our resources to stimulate a healthy ecosystem for the benefit of our stakeholders.”
Through the support of DOST-PCAARRD, UP Visayas and Trading Room will be able to work together on R&D—with the former providing the technical expertise and the latter leveraging on its large-scale production of the ingredient and its marketing network. The project leader is UPV’s Dr. Rex M. Traifalgar, recipient of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) 2015 Outstanding Young Scientist Award in Fisheries Science.
The outcome of the collaboration will facilitate the production of healthy and abundant aquaculture products and invigorate the coastal communities that harvest the ulva seaweed.
Trading Room is the Philippine pioneer in the production of ulva seaweed and came up with the all-natural feed additive called Eco Life G1. Trading Room’s Ms. Roco declared that this latest partnership affirms their belief in the Filipino scientists. “The result is going to be profound,” she said. “Not only will our seaweed farmers increase their harvests… More farmers will be encouraged to do aquaculture. Suppliers of feeds, vitamins, fishery equipment and commodity supplies will also benefit from the expansion of the aquaculture industry.”
Chancellor Camposano noted that the prospects are truly encouraging. “Lumot is life,” he quipped, referring to the local term for seaweed. “U.P. Visayas is determined to engage more deeply with industry, particularly in partnership with companies committed to sustainability and social inclusion and equity.” Chancellor Camposano added that their university is exploring the possibility of expanding the partnership to include working with the Mindanao State University in Tawi-Tawi. For more information on Eco Life G1, visit www.ecolife.ph.
