THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Western Visayas expressed high regards with the aquaculture industry of Negros Occidental.
Rowen Gelonga, regional director of DOST Western Visayas, said what makes the aquaculture industry in the province much better compared to other areas in the country is its deep appreciation on science-based production.
Gelonga said there is a reduction in the level of operation among other fishpond operators because they considered it as a “religious activity.”
“Some (fishpond operators) would just depend their production on prayers,” he said, adding that in Negros, it is different, it is really a scientific process.
For the regional line agency official, the province’s appreciation to science-based aquaculture is manifested by the fact that the Negros Prawn Producers Cooperative (NPPC) is actually operating a laboratory doing water and sample testing services.
On April 15, NPCC’s Analytical and Diagnostic Laboratory acquired its membership from the One Laboratory Worldwide (OneLab).
It is the newest member of OneLab, a network of laboratories anchored on an information and technology platform which broadens public access to testing and calibration services at a single touch point.
Initiated and harmonized by the DOST in 2012, the network was positioned to provide standardized services and fees through all DOST and non-DOST laboratories.
Also, it provides a timely and accurate test and calibration results.
One of the main criteria for membership is ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 or “General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories” accreditation.
Gelonga added that by being an ISO-accredited facility, the laboratory can assure that their tests are accurate and within the standards.
“Science-based aquaculture production means monitoring everything -- the soil and water, among others,” he said, adding that the process on growing stocks should really be scientific.
Based on the 2016 data obtained by SunStar Bacolod from NPPC, Negros Occidental, like General Santos City, produces 30 percent of the country’s total annual production of shrimp and prawns, next only to Central Luzon, which produces 40 percent.
Of the province’s total production, about 95 percent is vannamei or whiteleg shrimp, and the remaining five percent is tiger prawn.
In terms of exportation, the province supplies an average of about 18,000 tons per year to countries like United States and Japan, forming part of the country’s 60,000 to 100,000 tons of total exportation.