Grouper broodstock in the Misamis Occidental successfully spawned after two months of conditioning, jumpstarting the development of the mariculture industry in the province. The broodstock were conditioned for two months in a hatchery at the Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park (MOAP) before finally producing 15 million eggs last August and another 22 million eggs in September. With the volume of eggs, MOAP hatchery manager Tito Piloton says they are alreadyhaving trouble finding space for all the grouper larvae produced from the spawned eggs. SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department Chief Dr. Joebert Toledo explained that the spawning is a very good development for Misamis Occidental because “grouper broodstock spawn year-round” providing a stable and accessible supply of grouper seed which will be needed by fish cage farmers.

Misamis Occidental gears up for mariculture after grouper spawning. (2009, October 28). The News Today, p. 2.