Mixed Methods Approach in Documenting Aquaculture Practices and Market Dynamics of the Freshwater Eel Anguilla spp. Industry in the Philippines

Freshwater eels are emerging high-value species in aquaculture in the Philippines. However, the freshwater eel industry in the country remains under-documented, and most of the culture technologies employed are based on temperate eel culture. This study employed a mixed methods approach in primary and secondary data gathering. Key industry players across the value chain were identified and interviewed from February to October 2017 to gather baseline information on aquaculture practices, glass eel capture fisheries, and trading of anguillid eels. Secondary data from BFAR supplemented interview findings. Industry practices in 25 eel farms across the country were documented, the majority (80-85%) of which were nursery farms found in Regions 3 and 4A. There were five grow-out farms, with the largest production facility in Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte. Different culture facility designs, glass eel stocking practices, water management, aeration systems, feeding schemes, and disease management were described. Most farms used concrete tanks with flow-through systems stocked at 500-1500 pcs/m2 and commercial feeds with binders, bloodworm, or trash fish as feeds. Four major glass eel collection sites were identified: Cagayan, the Davao region, General Santos-Sarangani, and Cotabato City-Maguindanao. The glass eel supply chain starts with collectors, followed by stockers and consolidators who consolidate glass eel catch prior to selling to growers or traders. After the desired eel size (6 inches) is achieved through culture, growers or traders sell the eels to exporters, local institutional markets, and local eel processing plants. The results of this study provide essential information that will pave the way for science-based research to improve the existing culture practices and fisheries policies that will help boost aquaculture production and guide proper management programs.