MANILA, Philippines — The country’s largest crayfish nursery is now up and running in Pampanga. This marks a significant step in positioning the Philippines as a major player in the global aquaculture industry.
The 1,280-square meter facility in Candaba will mass-produce Australian Redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus). It is a high-value species sought for its rapid growth, hardiness and strong market demand.
Investing in the nursery are local firm Farm Fresh Early Catch Inc. headed by former Candaba mayor Jerry Pelayo and Taiwanese company Da Shin Biotech Ltd. The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) provides support.
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“Crayfish offers a protein source that is nutrient-rich, low-impact, and requires minimal feed,” the DA said in a statement on Friday.
The hub will provide supply to Farm Fresh’s existing three-hectare grow-out ponds. These currently produce 30 tons of market-size crayfish annually. It will also support partner growers as the industry continues to expand.
The crayfish hub houses 16 tanks capable of producing 48,000 fry every two weeks. It uses water-recycling technology in Philippine crayfish nurseries, reducing wastewater and conserving freshwater.
Large-scale rollout
Next year, Farm Fresh plans to implement a large-scale rollout of grow-out operations. This will be across 1,500 hectares in Luzon and 750 hectares each in the Visayas and Mindanao.
The planned sites are expected to produce more than 1,200 tons of crayfish every six months. This positions the Philippines as a serious contender in regional and global markets.
In his speech delivered by Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said crayfish farming “opens new doors for our fisherfolk—bringing in more income, more livelihood and more food on our tables.”
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Given BFAR’s strict guidelines aimed at protecting native aquatic life, Tiu Laurel said each pond must also nurture care, discipline and respect for the balance of the country’s ecosystems.
“Built through the partnership of Farm Fresh Early Catch Inc., Da Shin Biotech and the DA-BFAR, this nursery shows that when government, private innovators and fisherfolk come together, progress stops being a dream—it becomes our shared reality,” he said.
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The project is expected to create more than 3,000 direct jobs and spur new enterprises across farming communities. INQ