THE Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (Seafdec), Aquaculture Department and the University of the Philippines Visayas are organizing the First National Mud Crab Congress to be held on November 16-18 at Diversion 21 Hotel, Iloilo City.

Congress chair Emilia Quinitio said the activity will bring together some 300 scientists, industry practitioners, stakeholders and the academe from different parts of the country to discuss the present state of the mud crab industry and share the latest developments on its culture.

Insights on relevant issues and problem areas for further research on mud crab aquaculture and fisheries management will also be discussed during the workshops, she added.

Delegates to the mud crab congress, with the theme “Philippines: In the forefront of the mud crab industry development,” will also be toured to Seafdec's facilities in Iloilo and Guimaras.

Funding for the congress came from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology. (Sunnex)