A PAPER written by faculty members of the University of the Philippines Visayas won the Dr. Elvira O. Tan Award from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development.

The study is titled “Utilization of Marine Diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii as a Feed Additive in Seawater-Tolerant Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus 1758) Strain.”

It was authored by College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences faculty members Asst. Prof. Fredson H. Huervana, Cleresa S. Dionela, Eirene Dorothy S. de la Torre, Asst. Prof. Dr. Carmelo S. del Castillo, and Prof. Dr. Rex Ferdinand M. Traifalgar of the Institute of Aquaculture.

The research found that feeding marine diatoms T. weissflogii to seawater tilapia strains improved their growth performance and omega-3 composition without harming their digestive health.

The findings of the study may increase tilapia’s market appeal. It was published in the Journal of Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.

The Dr. Elvira O. Tan Memorial Award recognizes Filipino scientists and researchers who promote excellence in fisheries sciences through the publication of exceptional research and development results in an International Scientific Indexing (ISI)-accredited local and/or international journal.

The award was presented earlier this month during the 2024 S&T Recognition and Awarding Ceremony and the 52nd PCAARRD Founding Anniversary Celebration.