07 April 2014 - In line with the Philippine Government’s program to acquire and apply new technology and best practices in aquaculture, specifically the mussel industry, a delegation from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the University of the Philippines (UP)-Visayas visited New Zealand from March 8 to 19. The team was sent by DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo on a special study mission during which they met with officials and representatives from the Ministry of Primary Industries, Cawthorn Institute, University of Auckland and some private farms and processing plants in New Zealand.
The delegation was composed of Dr. Dalisay DG. Fernandez, Director, Inland Aquatic Resources Division; Ms. Kristine Joy L. Tandang, Mussel Program Manager, Inland Aquatic Resources Division, Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD); Dr. Carlos Baylon, Overall Program Leader, National Mussel Science and Technology Program (NMSTP); and Dr. Liberato Laureta, NMSTP Program Leader A (Hatchery and Culture), UP-Visayas.
Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Virginia H. Benavidez received the Philippine delegation members in Wellington on March 09 and held discussions on the learnings to be derived from New Zealand’s experience and expertise in the development of the mussel industry and ways to establish linkages and collaboration with mussel centers and institutions to know more about the country’s best practices and capability building programmes.
Throughout their visits and meetings in the North and South Islands, the DOST and UP-Visayas officials obtained extensive knowledge of and exposure to the investments in New Zealand’s greenshell mussels, practices and policies for biosafety protocols and science-based regulation, mussel hatchery technology, techniques for mussel culture and catching, postharvest techniques and the industry’s environmental code and quality standard regulations.
As Director Fernandez pointed out, the technologies will be tried on a laboratory scale using locally available materials and pilot testings will be carried out in private farms subsequently.
The Philippine delegation also joined Ambassador Benavidez in the study visit to the Wairarapa region where Filipinos are being recognized for their contributions to the bee culture industry.
During the dinner hosted by Ambassador Benavidez in honor of the delegation and Filipinos engaged in beekeeping businesses, she paid tribute to their wholehearted commitment and laser-focused determination to excel in their respective professions and lines of work and to learn and upgrade their skills and knowledge in the scientific areas where New Zealand has developed its renowned strengths and technologies.
“The valuable learnings gained from the mussel culture and the bee culture are crucial in helping the Philippines lift its development in these important industries, provide opportunities and benefits for Filipinos in their livelihood, food sources and technologies advancement and promote greater cooperation between the Philippines and New Zealand in the scientific field,” Ambassador Benavidez stated. END