NMC-CREES aquaculture extension agent Michael Ogo said the barramundi’s popularity in the Asian market has risen in the past years, making it a promising commodity.
Ogo recently represented the CNMI at an aquaculture study tour in Thailand and at the global World Aquaculture Society Asian Pacific Aquaculture Conference in Malaysia.
He was selected by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the region’s leading scientific organization, in recognition of his efforts to promote and expand the CNMI’s aquaculture industry.
“The mill I visited in Thailand produced large quantities of high protein feeds perfect for the carnivorous barramundi,” Ogo said.
“In my discussions with officials from Thai Union Feed Mills, they said they will open their doors to CNMI feed suppliers for local aqua farms that are raising barramundi.”
NMC President Carmen Fernandez said they were extremely proud of the recognition and prestige that Ogo brought to the college.
“I am sure that the knowledge and experience he has brought back from the international workshops and conference will prove instrumental in furthering NMC’s efforts to diversify and stimulate economic activity in aquaculture,” Fernandez said.
The study tour exposed Ogo to new and better techniques for tank management and new value added products for CREES’s shrimp and tilapia, she said.
Tilapia skin, for example, can be used in making golf gloves, purses and shoes, she added.
In Malaysia, Ogo met with many aquaculture experts and representatives from corporations involved in the global aquaculture industry.
The conference focused on marine finfish food production, aquaculture feed production, hatchery live feed production, and tilapia production trends.
“The conference was attended by many professionals, investors, and suppliers, many of whom I had the privilege to meet and discuss the CNMI’s future prospects,” Ogo said.
