the National Inland Fisheries and Technology Center, National Freshwater Technology Center, an The Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) successfully held the 1st National Catfish Dialogue on November 4 to 6, 2024, in Quezon City.
Led by d Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, through the Technical Working Group on the Catfish Commodity Development Plan, this pioneering event brought together key stakeholders in the catfish aquaculture sector to collaborate on strategies for strengthening and expanding the industry. The three- day dialogue gathered high-level government officials, experts, fish farmers, researchers, and members of the academe to assess the current landscape, share insights, and chart a path forward for catfish farming in the Philippines.
Attendees included key figures such as Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., DA Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate, DA-BFAR Officer-in-Charge Isidro M. Velayo, Jr., BFAR Assistant Director for Technical Services Dr. Angel Encarnacion, and Director Karl Marx Quiazon of the Freshwater Aquaculture of the Central Luzon State University, further showcasing the strong support from various sectors for the Philippine catfish industry.
In his keynote speech, Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the crucial role that the catfish industry plays in ensuring food security and driving economic growth. “Catfish farming holds a significant place in our national food production plan,” said Secretary Tiu Laurel.
“With rising demand for sustainable and accessible food sources, it is essential that we, from the government sector, producers, processors, the scientific community, and policymakers, come together to identify challenges and collaborate on solutions,” he added.
The dialogue comes at a time when the catfish industry has shown impressive growth. As of December 2023, the country boasted 2,792 farms spanning 670 hectares, with an 87% focus on grow-out culture. Production of fingerlings surpassed 87 million pieces in 2023—an 8% increase from 2020—demonstrating the sector’s potential to support livelihoods and boost national food production.
“The catfish industry started gaining traction in the early 2000s as fish farmers explored new species for diversification. What began as a small venture has flourished into a promising industry capable of driving socio-economic development for fish farmers across the nation,” Director Velayo said.
He highlighted challenges such as breeder shortages, technology gaps, and price fluctuations, calling on stakeholders to collaborate for sustainable solutions.
Throughout the event, experts discussed a range of topics including catfish hatchery management, health and disease control, grow-out culture in recirculating systems, post-harvest technology, and the marketing potential of catfish. A standout session featured a comprehensive SWOT analysis, allowing attendees to collaboratively identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing the sector.
With the insights gained and collaborative spirit fostered during the 1st National Catfish Dialogue, the BFAR is poised to roll out a comprehensive development plan in 2025, aiming to elevate the catfish sector and transform it into a competitive model of sustainability and innovation. ###
