Fisheries and Aquaculture Biosystems Laboratory and Engineering Hub

17/10/2026

📱🐟 A Smartphone App for Tilapia Fry Counting: Now Being Validated in Beta Testing

Manual tilapia fry counting has long been a challenge in hatcheries—it is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to counting errors.

To address this, the initiative is led by Dr. Lumayno, with team members Asst. Prof. Huervana, Mr. Hinautan, and Ms. Elle from the FABLE Hub Research Group. They collaborated with computer scientists Mr. Junsay and Mr. Calugas, graduates of the BS Computer Science program of the College of Arts and Sciences, UP Visayas, and electronics engineer Engr. Mendoza of Bulacan State University, to develop a smartphone application that can automatically count tilapia fry using just a phone.

The application is now in its first-version beta phase. Application trials are currently being conducted at the UPV CFOS-IA Hatchery Multispecies Hatchery Complex and the UPV Brackishwater Aquaculture Center to gather user feedback and guide further refinement of the app.

Once fully refined and validated, this innovation may help make fry counting faster, more accurate, and more accessible for hatchery operators and aquaculture practitioners. 💡

16/10/2026

FABLE Hub Participates in the IFS 2026 🐟

FABLE Hub participated in the 2026 International Fisheries Symposium, held on October 12–15, 2026, at the Iloilo Convention Center, Iloilo City.

With the theme “One Blue ASEAN Fisheries for the Future”, IFS brought together researchers, fisheries professionals, and stakeholders to exchange scientific knowledge, present research advancements, and explore collaborative strategies for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development across the ASEAN region.

Through active engagement in scientific and academic gatherings, FABLE Hub contributes to strengthening partnerships and advancing shared efforts toward a more sustainable future for fisheries and aquaculture. 🌊🐟

12/10/2026

🐟 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡

We are proud to share one of the research endeavors of Dr. Carmelo S. del Castillo and the University of the Philippines Visayas project team.

Funded by DOST-PCAARRD, the project—“Improvement of Milkfish Larval Rearing and Nursery Culture through Gut Metagenome, Transcriptome Analysis, and Gut Microbial Community Manipulations”—investigates how the gut microbiome influences the survival, growth, nutrition, and disease resistance of milkfish (bangus) fry.

The researchers found that wild-sourced milkfish fry possess a more diverse gut microbial community than hatchery-produced fry. They also identified 𝑷𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒐𝒄𝒐𝒄𝒄𝒖𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒐𝒔𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒖𝒔 as a promising probiotic candidate that inhibited important bacterial pathogens and significantly improved the survival of experimentally challenged milkfish fry.

These findings could contribute to the development of microbiome-informed rearing protocols and probiotic applications that improve the health, quality, and survival of hatchery-produced milkfish fry—helping address the country’s insufficient fry supply.

Congratulations to Dr. del Castillo and the entire project team for advancing science-based innovations toward a more productive, resilient, and sustainable Philippine milkfish industry!

🔗 Read the full feature:
https://www.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/quick-information-dispatch-qid-articles/dost-pcaarrd-funded-project-explores-milkfish-gut-bacteria-to-improve-fry-survival-and-production

In response to the country’s insufficient supply of milkfish fry, a project is exploring milkfish gut microbiota that can help improve the survival,...

09/10/2026

🎉 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬-𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠!

FABLE Hub, in partnership with the UPV Fisheries and Otolith Research and Analytics Laboratory (FOReAL), successfully conducted an intensive four-day Hands-on Training Workshop on Fish Reproductive Histology on October 6–9, 2026.

Four MS in Fisheries Biology students conducting or interested in pursuing reproductive biology studies participated in the workshop, gaining practical experience in g***d sampling, tissue processing, staining, and microscopic interpretation.

As one of the recipients of the University of the Philippines Collective Mentorship Program, FABLE Hub aims to strengthen graduate students’ research capabilities, support their studies, and help them work toward completing their degrees. This workshop is part of that commitment to hands-on learning and collaborative mentorship.

Congratulations to our participants, and thank you to our facilitators, resource persons, and resource speakers for sharing their time and expertise!

🔬 This is just the beginning of the training workshops FABLE Hub will organize. Watch out for our next offering: DNA extraction and genotyping of XX, XY, and YY tilapia breeders!

08/10/2026

🌊 Advancing fisheries science through research and collaboration!

The Fisheries and Aquaculture BioSystems Laboratory and Engineering Hub (FABLE Hub) is proud to showcase its research outputs and collaborative studies at the 14th International Fisheries Symposium on October 12–15, 2026, at the Iloilo Convention Center (ICON), Iloilo City!

With six oral presentations and two poster presentation, our researchers and collaborators will share work spanning aquaculture production, aquatic animal health, environmental sustainability, fisheries governance, and seafood quality. These contributions reflect our commitment to connecting science with practical challenges in fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal communities.

🎤 ORAL PRESENTATIONS

📅 October 13

🔹 Valerie Gegrimal — “From Saline Waters to Superior Fillets: Quality, Safety, and Consumer Acceptance of Saline-Tolerant Tilapia”
🏅 Oral competing presentation | FISHPOST_282
🕑 2:15–2:30 PM | Room 3

🔹 Alvin Doroteo — “Water Matters: Controlling Trichodinid Intensity in Nile Tilapia Fingerlings Through Strategic Water Management”
🕞 3:30–3:45 PM | Room 4

📅 October 14

🔹 Mark Henry De Leon — “Ecological and Socio-Economic Impacts of the Introduced Blackchin tilapia in Iloilo River, Philippines”
🕐 1:15–1:30 PM | Room 1

🔹 John Louie Natan — “Light Reduction Dynamics in Simulated Aquavoltaics: Implications for Plankton Structure in Penaeus vannamei Grow-Out Systems”
🕓 4:15–4:30 PM | Room 6

🔹 Mark Henry De Leon — “A Case Study on the Occurrence of Pinhead Condition in Juvenile Milkfish (*Chanos chanos*)”
🕟 4:30–4:45 PM | Room 5

🔹 Alvin Doroteo — “Physiological, Metabolic, and Immune Responses of Strawberry Conch Broodstock to Simulated Dry Transport Across Various Stocking Densities”
🕔 5:00–5:15 PM | Room 5

📌 POSTER PRESENTATION
📅 October 12–14 | Poster Area

🔹 Alvin Doroteo — “Paying for Conservation: Socially Acceptable Environmental Fees for Sustainable Island Management in Malalison, Culasi, Antique, the Philippines”
📋 FIsHGOV_223

🔹 Vyenge Erre Gayosa
“Effects of Short-Term Low-pH Exposure on the Morphology, Behavior, Survival, and Histopathology of Saline-Tolerant UPV SpiN Tilapia Fingerlings”
📋 AQUATECH_297

🤝 We recognize the contributions of all co-authors, research teams, and collaborators whose collective efforts made these studies possible. Together, we continue to explore solutions for more sustainable, resilient, and responsible fisheries and aquaculture.

Join us at our presentation sessions and visit our poster to exchange ideas, discuss our findings, and explore opportunities for future collaboration. See you at ICON! 🐟🌏

06/10/2026

From Mentor to Fisheries Professional: FABLE Hub’s Fredson Huervana Ranks 2nd in 2026 FPLE

FABLE Hub proudly celebrates the remarkable achievement of Asst. Prof. Fredson Huervana, who successfully passed the October 2026 Fisheries Professional Licensure Examination (FPLE) and secured the 2nd highest rank nationwide.

For FABLE Hub, this accomplishment is more than a personal victory—it is a celebration of the expertise and passion that professionals bring to advancing the fisheries sector.

Congratulations, Sir Fred! Your FABLE Hub family celebrates this well-deserved achievement and is immensely proud of you. 🎓🐟👏

06/10/2026

Futuring a Resilient Davao Milkfish Industry!

Our FABLE Hubber and MS Fisheries (Aquaculture) candidate, Ms. Arien Jean Lopez, presented their work on “Designing a Climate-Resilient Milkfish Future for Davao: A Regional Bioeconomic Transition Framework” during the Futures of Agriculture and Fisheries session of the 2nd Davao Sustainable Futures Conference (DSFC) 2026 at the Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City.

Ms. Lopez, who also serves as an instructor at the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST), shared insights from their published article, co-authored with Mr. Fredson H. Huervana and Ms. Christie Mae Ranque-Balucos. The presentation explored how seed supply, farm performance, environmental conditions, and markets shape Davao’s milkfish industry.

Aligned with the conference theme, “Futuring Together for SDG17: Local Actions, Global Connections,” their work highlighted how shared evidence and coordinated partnerships can guide practical actions toward sustainable and climate-resilient aquaculture.

This reflects the continued efforts of the FABLE Hub to support emerging researchers in sharing knowledge and contributing to discussions that address the needs of fisheries communities. 🐟🌱

📖 Read the published article:
Lopez, A. J. M., Huervana, F. H., & Ranque-Balucos, C. M. (2026). Milkfish aquaculture as a regional bioeconomic system: Production, governance, and sustainability in the Davao Region. Frontiers in Marine Science, 13, Article 1791375. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2026.1791375

05/10/2026

HAPPY WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY! 📚✨

Celebrating all the FABLE Hub mentors who inspire, guide, and shape the next generation of fisheries professionals and scientists. Thank you for sharing not only knowledge, but also passion, wisdom, and purpose. 💙🧡

To all our TEACHERS, thank you for making a difference! 👩‍🏫👨‍🏫🐟

03/10/2026

Advancing Agriculture through Research, Technology, and Innovation! 🌾🔬

Our FABLE Hubber, Mr. Ande Bryle N. Genciana, took the stage as a Plenary Speaker at the Consortia for Regional Excellence (CORE): Regional Research, Development, and Innovation Conference, held as part of the Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) in Western Visayas, at Marzon Convention Center, Kalibo, Aklan.

During the conference, he presented the published study, “Development of YY Supermales in the Saline-Tolerant UPV SpiN Tilapia Hybrid (Oreochromis spilurus × O. niloticus).” The study was developed under the DOST-PCAARRD-funded project, “Molecular Marker Assisted YY Male Tilapia Production,” showcasing the potential of innovative breeding technologies in advancing the development of saline-tolerant tilapia and strengthening sustainable aquaculture.

His presentation highlighted how research and innovation can translate into practical solutions for agriculture and fisheries, particularly in addressing challenges in aquaculture production.

Congratulations to Mr. Genciana and the entire YY Male Tilapia team for sharing their work and contributing to the growing body of research toward a more innovative, resilient, and sustainable Philippine aquaculture sector! 🐟🌱👏

28/09/2026

📢 TRAINING ALERT!
Are you a graduate student conducting research in fish reproductive biology?

FABLE Hub invites you to join the Hands-on Training Workshop on Fish Reproductive Histology, happening on October 6–9, 2026, at Buildings 3 & 4.

Gain practical experience in essential histological techniques used in fish reproductive biology research, including:
🔬 G***d sampling
🧫 Tissue processing
🎨 Histological staining
🔍 Microscopic interpretation

📩 How to Apply
Submit a Letter of Intent that briefly describes:
• Your proposed or ongoing research in fish reproductive biology; and
• How participating in this training workshop will support your research.
Send your Letter of Intent to Dr. Sanny Lumayno at [email protected].

📌 See the event poster for eligibility requirements, application details, and other important information.

We look forward to welcoming the next generation of researchers in fish reproductive biology!

LIMITED SLOTS ONLY!

***dHistology