ILOILO CITY, July 10 -- The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) on Thursday inaugurated three hatchery facilities at its Tigbauan, Iloilo, complex to strengthen aquaculture research, innovation and production in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia.

The new facilities include a whiteleg shrimp hatchery and grow-out facility, a giant freshwater prawn hatchery, and a mangrove crab hatchery.

Agriculture Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate said the facilities represent strategic investments that will help address the evolving needs of the aquaculture industry.

"More than new facilities, they are strategic investments in the future of Philippine aquaculture," said Bayate, who...