Filipino researchers achieve successful natural captive spawning of mackerel tuna

From wild juveniles to captive spawners

The broodstock were sourced from juvenile kawakawa collected using an “otoshi-ami” fish trap in the Philippines' Antique province.

Before transport, the fish underwent several days of conditioning to prepare them for confinement stress and the long journey to tank facilities in the SEAFDEC/AQD Tigbauan Main Station.

"Transport protocols were strictly followed to maximise survival," said Dr Leobert de la Peña, Head of SEAFDEC/AQD’s Research Division. "Water temperature was lowered, each fish was handled individually, and temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen levels were monitored hourly. Water samples were also collected for bacterial analyses."

These measures resulted in high survival rates, even three days after transport, according to the research team.