Guimaras: SEAFDEC at Igang Marine Station

SEAFDEC or the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center was my first destination during my Guimaras island hopping tour. Since this was my first island hopping experience in Guimaras Island, this was also my first time to visit the SEAFDEC facility. The research center is where they breed and study different species of fishes and other marine life--including the biggest Grouper or Lapu-lapu I have ever seen!

One of the cottages at SEAFDEC in Guimaras

It was my tricycle driver who suggested to put SEAFDEC as my first stopover while the facility is still open for visitors. A little past 2 PM when our motorized boat left Raymen Beach Resort in Alubihod Beach. It took us about 20 minutes to get to SEAFDEC's Igang Marine Station which is located in Brgy. Igang, Nueva Valencia.

While approaching the facility, large fish pens and cages can been seen from afar. We docked in a floating cottage which happens to be their Floating Laboratory. The security guard who welcomed me also served as my tour guide around the facility. He shared some information about their breeding and hatchery processes and basically stuff about fisheries which added to my knowledge. He also showed to me the different species of fishes such as giant grouper, pompano, seabass and red snapper contained in their fish cages. I was overwhelmed by the monstrous size of their fishes!

You can watch the video clip I took of their giant grouper fishes via Youtube here.

Some of the fish cages at SEAFDEC

Giant Grouper (Lapu-lapu) - the biggest I've seen!

Large circular milkfish seacage

Feeding the seabass or "bulgan" fish

Seabass swarming on food

Closer look of seabass

The Floating Laboratory of SEAFDEC

I have learned that SEAFDEC pioneered the artificial propagation of milkfish as far back as 1976, and no wonder I was able to see lots of them there!

Before my tour was about to finish, he showed me a slimy-looking sea creature called abalone which they also breed and culture. It is a type of sea snail which can be consumed raw or cooked. According to him, they export them to other Asian countries that's why abalones are very expensive.

Live abalone at SEAFDEC

The guide had wanted to tour me to their shrimp farm but I declined saying that I needed to leave as my time was very limited (I only have two hours for the whole island hopping tour). I gave him P25 for the entrance fee and followed him to SEAFDEC office which is connected by the floating wooden bridge.

I headed back to the boat and soon realized that we passed by Alubihod Beach again on the way to our second destination -- the Ave Maria Islet. Later, I found out that SEAFDEC was the farthest spot in our itinerary because it's located in the opposite direction while the rest of the destinations was just near to each other. Half of my two hours was spent for SEAFDEC alone. Unless you're interested with marine life research, aquaculture or has plenty of time for the tour, you can skip this from your itinerary.

Click here to view more photos of SEAFDEC at Igang Marine Station.

Read more about my Guimaras escapade:

• Part 1 - My Solo Day Trip in Guimaras
• Part 2 - Guisi Lighthouse: Historical and Sightseeing Spot in Guimaras
• Part 3 - Guisi Beach: Guimaras' Well-Kept Secret
• Part 4 - Surpised by Alubihod Beach in Guimaras
• Part 5 - Island Hopping Tour in Guimaras

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