Innovative Initiative for Sustainable Spiny Lobster Farming Launched by SEAFDEC/AQD

The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) is embarking on a groundbreaking initiative aimed at developing sustainable farming techniques for the spiny lobster, known scientifically as Panulirus ornatus, while assessing its viability as a potential source of livelihood for coastal fishers in the Philippines.

High-Value Industry Potential

Locally referred to as “tiger lobster” or “banagan”, this species has garnered attention from the Iloilo-based research center for its high market demand and the abundance of seed resources available in the region. SEAFDEC/AQD Chief Dan Baliao noted that while spiny lobster farming has been practiced across the Philippine archipelago, it primarily relies on capturing pueruli and juveniles from the wild, which are then raised using traditional farming methods.

Standardizing Farming Practices

“Our goal is to transform informal practices into scientifically-backed production models,” Baliao stated. This initiative will include recommendations for optimal stocking densities, appropriate feeding schemes, and environmental management practices.

Site Identification and Research Activities

Highlighted within this research effort, Roselyn Baylon, a prestigious researcher at SEAFDEC/AQD, and her team have pinpointed a promising location in Guimaras known for its wild spiny lobster seed population. Their study involves environmental monitoring and the verification of catch data through interviews with local fishers. Dr. Leobert de la Peña, head of the Research Division at SEAFDEC/AQD, emphasized the importance of this baseline data in assessing spiny lobster ecosystem dynamics and guiding future fisheries management.

Experiments at Igang Marine Station

At SEAFDEC/AQD’s Igang Marine Station in Guimaras, exciting experiments are in progress for determining the optimal stocking densities and feeding practices throughout both the nursery and grow-out phases of sea-based cage systems. The project is also analyzing growth performance, survival rates, and socioeconomic impacts.

Growth Benchmarks and Husbandry Practices

Baylon mentioned that their experiments have successfully established critical growth benchmarks for spiny lobsters, which are vital for achieving efficient production cycles. During the nursery phase, puerulus-stage lobsters weighing an average of 0.35 grams are nurtured for six months until they reach an ideal weight of around 50 grams, preparing them for the grow-out phase.

During the grow-out phase, lobsters are raised in sea-based systems for 12 months, ultimately achieving body weights ranging from 500 grams to 1 kilogram, with carapace lengths varying between 7.9 centimeters and 10.9 centimeters based on stocking density.

Ecological and Economic Considerations

Baylon highlighted the project’s commitment to balancing economic productivity with environmental sustainability and animal welfare. “We perform regular monitoring of key water quality parameters including salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and sediment quality,” she detailed, alongside routine health assessments of lobsters to prevent disease and enhance their well-being.

Future Research Directions

Dr. de la Peña mentioned that upon the successful completion of current experiments, large-scale verification trials of the refined production protocols will take place. Future research will also aim at controlling cannibalism in lobsters and developing effective feeding strategies.

“Once we have standardized rearing protocols for spiny lobsters, we will facilitate technology transfer through training programs, ultimately providing sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities,” Baliao concluded.

Image Credit: SEAFDEC/AQD