A small coastal town in Iloilo has achieved a breakthrough for global fisheries after Filipino scientists recorded the world’s first natural spawning of mackerel tuna in captivity. This milestone could reshape the future of sustainable tuna farming. Researchers at the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center–Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) in Tigbauan, Iloilo, confirmed that mackerel tuna (Euthynnus affinis), locally known as tulingan or kawakawa, reproduced successfully without hormone injections, overcoming a long-standing barrier in tuna aquaculture. The historic spawning, observed from July to September 2025, marks a significant leap toward full-cycle tuna culture — an achievement long viewed as unattainable due to tuna’s migratory behavior, high-speed swimming and extreme sensitivity to stress.

Anona, F. C. (2026, January 19). Iloilo savants score tuna spawning breakthrough. Daily Tribune, p. B16.