Researchers from the Pangasinan State University (PSU), Binmaley campus conduct studies on the utilization of invasive species to benefit the Philippine Aquaculture industry.
A study was conducted study on CY 2019 by Dr. Shella C. Parreño and Ms. Rina Visperas conducted as study using formulated Blackchin tilapia feed to Molobicus Saline tilapia. Their research study reported a general profitable feed conversion ratio (FCR) as compared to commercially available Molobicus Saline tilapia feed. They reported that feed cost is one of the concerns in the growth and production of Saline Tilapia. Using bland and invasive fish species like the Blackchin tilapia, this research shoots two fish with one spear. First, the abovementioned concern in feed cost and second, the control of invasive Blackchin tilapia by formulating it as feed.
Recently, another study by Dr. Parreño with a group of researchers from the College of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, headed by Ms. Judy Ann V. Visperas with her co-researchers, Ms. Sherilyn P. Torio, Mr. Cesar Gillan F. Belda, and Mr. Leon B. Ramos was conducted. They found that Blackchin Tilapia is a potential source of alternative feed over commercially available for juvenile Mangrove crab (Scylla serrata). Growth and survival of juvenile Mangrove crab feed with Blackchin tilapia proves positive and promising benefits to the Mangrove crabs. With good performance of the formulated feed in relation to Mangrove crab weight gain, carapace width & width increment and feed conversion ratio (FCR), this research study maximizes Blackchin tilapia proliferation and opens another doorway in the Philippine Aquaculture industry.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration define invasive species as “an organism that causes ecological harm in a new environment where it is not native.” Anecdotal reports of the invasive behavior of Blackchin tilapia (Sarotheredon melanotheron) in 2012 have been confirmed on the first research report published in the Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre (REABIC) by the researchers from the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), Philippines. Occurrence of Blackchin tilapia was reported in the coastal waters of Manila Bay and in the tributary rivers Hagonoy, Bulacan.
In Pangasinan, these studies by De Guzman, et al., 2022; Muñoz, et al., 2022; and Santos et al., 2022, students of Pangasinan State University, Binmaley Campus reported a high species composition of Blackchin tilapia in the Canaoalan river and Salapingao river, Binmaley Pangasinan. This further proves the fact that Blackchin tilapia might be already thriving and competing with our native fish species in food and space. As such ecological problem is inevitable, research endeavors such as innovation using this non-native fish species, like the studies of Dr. Parreno et al., providing advantages in our fishery industry is of great help in the economy.