Philippines largest crayfish nursery opens in Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s biggest crayfish nursery opened on Friday in Candaba, Pampanga, as part of private sector and government efforts to expand aquaculture and provide new income opportunities for rural communities.

In a statement, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Farm Fresh Early Catch Inc. built the 1,280-square-meter facility with support from Taiwan’s Da Shin Biotech Ltd. and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

“This nursery shows that when government, private innovators, and fisherfolk come together, progress stops being a dream – it becomes our shared reality,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in remarks delivered by DA Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Arnel de Mesa.

The nursery will produce Australian Redclaw crayfish, a species valued for its fast growth and strong market demand.

The nursery has 16 tanks capable of producing 48,000 fry every two weeks, utilizing water-recycling technology to minimize freshwater usage.

The DA said that treated water is carefully managed to prevent impact on local ecosystems.

Meanwhile, Farm Fresh plans to supply the fry to its existing three-hectare grow-out ponds, which currently yield 30 tons of market-size crayfish annually.

The firm said it also plans to partner with other growers as the industry expands.

By 2026, the company aims to expand its grow-out operations across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, potentially producing more than 1,200 tons of crayfish every six months.

Currently, the project is anticipated to create over 3,000 direct jobs and support the establishment of new businesses in farming communities.

The DA said the nursery marks a significant step toward establishing the country as a major player in regional and global aquaculture markets.