More than 5,000 abalone (Haliotis asinia) juveniles were seeded into the Nogas Island Marine Sanctuary on July 24. This is part of an experimental sea-ranching activity jointly undertaken by the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) and the Municipal Government of Anini-y, Antique where the sanctuary is located. Mr. Armando Fermin, program leader of SEAFDEC/AQD's Integrated Mollusk Program, Dr. Hiroshi Ogata (SEAFDEC's Deputy Chief), Municipal Mayor Reynaldo Pollicar, Vice Mayor Amado Rubite, and SB Members Jonathan Diana and Magdalena Cazeñas led the ceremonial releasing of abalone juveniles. It was the first time SEAFDEC released abalone into the wild for sea ranching.

Sea ranching of abalone launched in Nogas Island. (2007, August 7). Visayan Daily Headlines, p. B8.