A new feed formulation, that aims to lower the cost of fish farming and make fish more affordable to the masses, kicked off with field-testing at the Igang Marine Station of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) in the Philippines.

The new formulation, developed by SEAFDEC’s researcher Dr. Roger Edward Mamauag, uses cheaper alternative ingredients and will also be tested in other Philippine farms in partnership with the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). It will be tested on milkfish reared in sea cages and also in tilapia. If the test provides positive results, researchers intend to give the formulation to a private feed manufacturer.

SEAFDEC/AQD’s Research Head, Dr. Leobert de la Peña, said that their main objective is to lower aquaculture production costs for the benefit of fish farmers in the Philippines.