SEAFDEC Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center
The week-long celebration of the Forty-fifth Anniversary of AQD on 6-13 July 2018 was capped by the unveiling of two markers dedicated to the two important personalities that made AQD as it is today, not only in terms of research and development but also infrastructure and facilities development. Two of AQD’s buildings being named after them for their valuable contributions to the establishment and development of AQD are the Administration Building now known as the QF Miravite Building, and then Nutrition Building now the DK Villaluz Building. The markers dedicating the respective buildings to these AQD prime movers were unveiled on 13 July 2018 by members of the prime movers’ respective families, and SEAFDEC Officers led by SEAFDEC Deputy Secretary-General, Mr. Akito Sato; AQD Chief, Mr. Dan Baliao; and AQD Deputy Chief, Dr. Koh-Ichiro Mori.
There were other activities that completed the week-long celebration. These included a Coastal Clean-up, Blood Letting and Free Eye Check-up, Gift-giving to the less-privileged constituents of communities surrounding the AQD premises, Farmers’ Forum and Aquaculture Clinic with AQD’s researchers providing lectures on recent aquaculture innovations, 26th Dean Domiciano K. Villaluz Memorial Lecture with former SEAFDEC Secretary-General Dr. Siri Ekmaharaj as the Resource Person, Building Dedication and Unveiling of Commemorative Markers, and Anniversary Program and Dinner.
SEAFDEC/AQD was established in a 40-ha land in Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines in July 1973 to undertake aquaculture research and train researchers and technicians in aquaculture. AQD has since then been pursuing R&D in the sustainable development and responsible stewardship of the aquaculture resources in Southeast Asia. Its R&D programs are aimed at generating and promoting sustainable aquaculture technologies for the sustainability of the aquaculture industry in the region.