Modern Biosecurity and Processing Standards

Inside the plant, we witnessed rigorous biosecurity protocols that ensure high-quality, safe seafood products. Entry points had sanitation stations, zones were carefully segregated, and strict handling procedures were in place. For Capiz, which already supplies seafood nationwide and beyond, adopting these same standards would mean not only maintaining freshness but also raising trust among buyers and international markets. Stronger safety systems directly translate to stronger reputation — and ultimately, better prices for local producers.

The Role of Feedmills in Scaling Aquaculture

One highlight was Feedmix’s feed production line, where science and technology combine to create nutrition-optimized aquaculture feeds. For Capiz, the establishment of a dedicated feedmill would be transformative. Farmers wouldn’t need to rely on costly, imported, or logistically challenging feed supply chains. Local feed production would:

• Lower costs of operation for fishpond owners.

• Improve fish health and survival rates with feeds tailored to local species.

• Provide steady employment within the province.

• Increase competitiveness for Capiz products in both local and export markets.

When feed supply is consistent and optimized, overall productivity rises, margins improve, and more families in the aquaculture community benefit.

Hatcheries and Nurseries: The Foundation of Growth

We also visited their tilapia nursery, where fry are carefully reared in controlled environments before being released into grow-out systems. This stage is critical to ensure high survival rates and strong stock. If Capiz were to establish its own large-scale hatcheries and nurseries — not just for tilapia, but for milkfish, crabs, and shrimp — the benefits would be enormous:

• Reduced dependence on imports: Farmers wouldn’t need to source fry from outside provinces.

• Higher survival rates: Controlled rearing means healthier fry and fewer losses.

• Year-round production stability: Hatcheries ensure reliable seed stock, supporting continuous harvest cycles.

• Local innovation hubs: Hatcheries could double as training grounds for farmers to adopt best practices.

For local farmers, this means less risk, lower input costs, and higher profitability. For the province, it means stronger food security and an elevated role as a national leader in aquaculture.

A Shared Vision for Capiz

During our tour, we also had conversations about the future of aquaculture in the Philippines — and how Capiz, with its natural advantages, could lead this transformation. Imagine Capiz not only as the Seafood Capital by heritage, but as a hub of modern aquaculture infrastructure: hatcheries producing robust fry, feedmills supplying nutritious feeds at scale, and processing plants with strict biosecurity that meet global standards.

Such an ecosystem would open the door for exports at higher volumes, support government and private partnerships, and most importantly, improve the livelihoods of thousands of families who depend on fishponds and coastal resources for income.