Marine fisheries in the Philippines are at a critical stage. Over the past decade, combined marine municipal and commercial catches have exceeded sustainable limits, indicating widespread overfishing. Declines in municipal, inland, and commercial fisheries contrast with the continued expansion of aquaculture, which now plays an increasingly important role in meeting national fish demand.

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, driven by incursions into municipal waters, destructive gears, and limited enforcement, continues to threaten fish stocks and smallscale fishers’ livelihoods. Governance remains fragmented, and monitoring capacity across the country’s extensive marine waters is still inadequate. Climate change further exacerbates these challenges through rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events that affect both ecosystems and coastal communities.

Addressing these issues requires resilience through science-based management, institutional strengthening, and adaptive community systems. Fisheries research and development (R&D) must evolve into a central component of sustainable fisheries governance and national resource management.

MFRDC: NFRDI’s marine research arm

Located in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, where the Pacific Ocean meets the eastern Philippine coast, the Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center (MFRDC) of the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) serves as the Institute’s marine research arm. The MFRDC conducts studies to support sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development, including the culture of key marine species such as fish, crabs, lobsters, and abalone, while contributing to food security and coastal resource management.

Established through Fisheries Administrative Order No. 029 (s. 2001), MFRDC complements NFRDI’s freshwater and brackishwater research centers in Batangas and Lanao del Norte. The Guiuan complex also houses laboratories and units such as the Fish Health Laboratory, Environmental Monitoring Unit, and Seaweed Tissue Culture and Phycology Laboratories, which enable integrated marine research and technology development.

In Eastern Visayas, fisheries contribute significantly to the regional economy, accounting for 18.2 percent of the agri-fishery output in 2023. However, production declined by 5.2 percent in the second quarter of 2025, largely due to reduced municipal fisheries output. Meanwhile, aquaculture grew by 55.1 percent, indicating its potential to enhance recovery and resilience.

Post-disaster rehabilitation and rebuilding

In November 2013, Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) made landfall in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, causing severe damage to MFRDC. The Center’s laboratories, hatcheries, and research facilities were nearly destroyed, and years of data and infrastructure were lost.

Since then, MFRDC has undergone reconstruction and revitalization, restoring its operations and reaffirming its mandate as a leading institution in marine fisheries research. The planned construction of a modern research complex in Guiuan is part of this renewal, envisioned to feature advanced laboratories, training facilities, and demonstration farms to support marine research and community-based aquaculture initiatives.

Research and innovation

MFRDC has played an important role in advancing marine aquaculture and fisheries resource research. It has standardized hatchery and nursery protocols for the blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus), a first among government institutions, and developed culture techniques for sea cucumber, scallop, and spiny lobster. It also conducts stock assessments and reproductive biology studies for key marine species to support science-based management.

Through flagship programs such as the Hatchery Production Program (HatchPro) and the Mariculture and Other Aquafarming Systems Research Innovations for Development Program (MARIDeP), MFRDC has promoted innovations in marine aquaculture. These include thermal manipulation for milkfish spawning to ensure continuous fry supply, broodstock improvement for mangrove crab, and crablet production for stock enhancement.

Under MARIDeP, ongoing research explores spiny lobster cage culture, soft-shell mangrove crab production, and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems combining milkfish, pearl oysters, sea cucumbers, and seaweeds to promote resource efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Research utilization and technology transfer

MFRDC extends its impact beyond research through the Technology and Knowledge Promotion Program (TechKnowPro), which facilitates the dissemination of developed technologies via training, publications, and demonstration projects. The AquaBusiness School and Technology Business Incubation (ABS-TBI) initiative supports technology adopters through mentorship, enterprise development, and linkages with investors and stakeholders.

Technologies developed by MFRDC, including milkfish fingerling production, abalone farming, sea cucumber culture, and mangrove crab aquaculture, have been adopted by fisherfolk and aquafarmers in coastal communities, demonstrating the application of research to livelihood improvement.

Collaboration and partnerships

MFRDC works with national and international institutions, including the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center – Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD), local government units, and state universities and colleges. Its research on spiny lobsters, scallops, and mangrove crabs contributed to the formulation of national fisheries regulations such as Fisheries Administrative Orders 264 and 265, which establish size limits and gear restrictions to promote resource sustainability.

Capacity building and knowledge sharing

Beyond scientific research, MFRDC provides technical assistance and training for various marine commodities, including milkfish, sea cucumber, grouper, spiny lobster, blue swimming crab, mangrove crab, abalone, and scallops, to fishers, aquafarmers, and students. It also supports aquaculture extension and contributes to research quality assurance through peer review and expert evaluation.

Looking ahead

From its location along the Pacific coast, the Center continues to advance research for sustainable marine resource use. Its ongoing initiatives in aquaculture, resource management, and community capacity building contribute to national efforts toward resilient and sustainable fisheries.

In an era of overfishing, environmental stress, and changing marine ecosystems, the MFRDC’s work underscores the essential role of science in ensuring the long-term productivity and sustainability of the country’s marine fisheries. ### (Cristan Joy Campo)