Scientific advances in shrimp culture technology and the establishment of diagnostic laboratories for shrimp diseases by the government provide hope that the Philippine shrimp industry can still recover after a series of setbacks brought about by devastating diseases and other environment-related problems during the past few years. To realize and hasten this recovery, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Philippine Shrimp Industry Association, Inc., are sponsoring a national congress to be held in Bacolod City on July 2-4, this year. BFAR Director Malcolm I. Sarmiento Jr. said that the three-day congress aims to formulate a comprehensive national shrimp industry recovery program geared towards sustainable development. He said that holding the shrimp congress is paramount as there exist now more intensified efforts pursued by all sectors – government, research institutions, academe, and industry players – to put the shrimp industry in order.

Shrimp congress set in July. (2002, June 2). The Philippine Star, p. B-2.