CABANATUAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has begun testing the commercial viability of Australian redclaw crayfish in Nueva Ecija.
As part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directives to strengthen aquaculture, the initiative seeks to diversify livelihoods and benefit fisherfolk.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. led the ceremonial stocking of 14,000 craylings on January 15 at the Science City of Muñoz, marking the launch of an on-farm verification trial that will assess whether redclaw crayfish can be profitably raised in Philippine freshwater ponds.
Secretary Tiu Laurel said the initiative reflects the DA’s push to help farmers move beyond volume-based production toward higher-value enterprises.
He emphasized that with proper observance of good aquaculture practices and strict biosecurity measures, redclaw crayfish culture holds strong potential to sustainably transform fish farming in the country.
“Layunin ng inisyatibang ito na magbigay ng dagdag na pagkakakitaan sa mga magsasaka, bukod sa kanilang pananim (The goal of this initiative is to provide farmers with additional sources of income, aside from their crops),” he shared.
DA, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), rolled out the project in partnership with private-sector stakeholders, signaling a shift toward science-based and market-driven aquaculture development rather than unchecked expansion.
BFAR issued Administrative Circular No. 001, series of 2025, late last year, establishing the country’s first national guidelines for culturing Australian redclaw crayfish.
The rules require broodstock and craylings to come only from certified local hatcheries or BFAR facilities to manage biosecurity risks and prevent ecological harm.
BFAR anchored the initiative at its prototype hatchery at the National Freshwater Fisheries Technology Center, where 30 female and 10 male breeders form the core stock.
The facility also maintains about 200 prospective breeders capable of producing up to 5,000 craylings per cycle across three to five cycles annually, while setting aside 300 craylings for controlled tank-based trials.
Field validation in Nueva Ecija will run for four to five months using four ponds. Technicians will test two stocking densities of 10 and 15 crayfish per square meter and monitor survival rate, growth performance, feed efficiency, and overall economic returns to determine commercial feasibility.
BFAR plans to translate positive results into full-scale technology demonstrations, with standardized protocols for farmer training and possible expansion in suitable inland areas nationwide.
Through careful trials, strong biosecurity controls, and collaboration with the private sector, the DA aims to balance opportunity and risk as it explores redclaw crayfish as a premium aquaculture commodity.
The project underscores a new development approach that prioritizes value creation, sustainability, and discipline to ensure long-term benefits for Filipino farmers and fishers. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Nueva Ecija)
