RATIONALE

     Overfishing is essentially catching too many spawners and their young (Soliman, Bobiles, & Yamaoka, 2009) and this remains a worldwide problem for many years. This has been evident in some Philippine fishing grounds starting from the late 1970s. One example is San Miguel Bay where major fish stocks were reported to be biologically and economically overfished based on the research conducted from 1979 to 1981 (Pauly & Mines, 1982). The same situation is still observed at present as reported in the Visayan region having low abundance of fish species due to intense fishing and habitat degradation (Nañola, Aliño, & Carpenter, 2011).

OBJECTIVE

• Assess the current fishery of siganids in Calatagan, Batangas
• Examine reproductive biology of siganid stocks
• Investigate the early life – history of siganids inferred through otolith microstructure
• Develop management strategies for siganid stocks in Calatagan, Batangas

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• The project was presented during the In-House Review and was awarded “Best Implementer” at Batangas State University–Pablo Borbon Campus on June 30, 2025. 

• The project was presented as a poster at the NFRDI 11th Fisheries and Scientific Conference, held at Royce Hotel, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Last September 24–25, 2025.

• The collection of siganid fry and fingerlings during the peak season was conducted on October 20–24, 2025 and November 22–25, 2025. 

• The funding agency, MRRD–DOST PCAARRD, conducted the official Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) visit for the Siganid Project at Batangas State University–ARASOF Nasugbu Campus on November 21, 2025, led by Dr. Mari-Ann M. Acedera, Ms. Ma. Adela C. Corpuz, and Ms. Michelle A. De Vera.