Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and a fish scientist were honored by the Society of Aquaculture Engineers of the Philippines Inc. (SAEP) and Philippine Aquaculture Society Inc. (PAS) for their outstanding leadership and devoted service for the advancement of aquaculture in the country. De Venecia was awarded “for providing the strongest impetus for the lifting of the existing ban on the entry and culture of the Pacific White Shrimp, Penaeus vannamei in 2007.” Emilia Quinitio was awarded “for dedicating most of her professional life to refining the techniques for propagation and culture of the mangrove crab Scylla serrate at the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department.”

Visperas, E., & Ramirez, C. (2016, December 11). De Venecia makes strides in aquaculture. The Philippine Star, p. B-4.