Ten aquaculture professionals from the Asia-Pacific region — including the Philippines, Fiji, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea — attended a week-long training on sandfish (Holothuria scabra) culture at SEAFDEC/AQD in the Philippines from 19–23 May 2025. Supported by INFOFISH, the training aimed to enhance participants' technical knowledge and skills in the sustainable farming of this economically important but threatened sea cucumber species.

The course covered the entire sandfish culture process, including broodstock management, algal culture (Chaetoceros and Navicula), juvenile rearing, and community-based sea ranching.

Beyond technical training, participants appreciated the opportunity to exchange ideas and better understand how hatchery practices relate to broader fisheries management and policymaking.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/seafdec.aqd/posts/pfbid0ZW13bgCfqxYgJeDV4TnvGk3c5TBGJLJzGQUZCsyfuXzZBLAucb9SKo8gS2wLfg3ul

The Maldivian government is launching a major MVR 4.5 billion (approx. US$290 million) investment to boost its fisheries sector, with a strong focus on developing mariculture as a separate economic area. Foreign investment in mariculture will officially open in July.       

Minister of Fisheries Ahmed Shiyam highlighted this as the largest commitment ever made to the industry and acknowledged MVR 62 million (US$4 million) in unpaid dues to local fishers.

To address long-standing issues like limited storage and processing, the government plans to upgrade the Felivaru cannery and build two new canneries in F. Nilandhoo and GDh. Fiyoari, targeting completion by end-2025. These efforts aim to enable domestic processing of up to 90% of all fish caught, reducing raw exports and increasing revenue.

The Maldivian government is also introducing new financial support measures for local fishers, including loan facilities and credit cards through the Bank of Maldives (BML). These efforts are part of a broader plan to correct past imbalances in support for the fisheries sector and to improve the economic well-being and financial stability of artisanal fishers alongside boosting overall industry output.

Source: https://seafood.media/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?l=e&country=0&special=&monthyear=&day=&id=134821&ndb=1&df=0

The Philippines and South Korea have partnered on a $16-million grant to support two projects aimed at promoting aquaculture development and community-based agribusiness. The first project, with a $10-million allocation, is focused on aquaculture development in Guimaras Province. It will run for seven years and aims to increase fisherfolk income through enhanced aquaculture production, infrastructure development such as hatchery and pilot ponds for high-value species, the transfer of advanced technologies, and the creation of cooperative business structures. The second project, funded with $6 million, targets marginal farmers in Central Luzon by promoting agribusiness opportunities. It includes the establishment of an agribusiness incubation center in Zambales and the improvement of an existing DA facility in Tarlac. Both initiatives will feature training sessions, capacity-building programs, and agricultural interventions to support farmer-beneficiaries. Koica has previously provided $20.78 million in grants to the Philippines for projects involving agri-mechanization, smart agriculture, and dairy herd improvement.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer / https://business.inquirer.net/527414/philippines-gets-16-m-south-korean-grant-for-aquaculture-agribusiness