The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is opening the door to a new chapter in aquaculture with the introduction of the national guidelines for the culture of Australian Redclaw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) in the Philippines.
In a press statement released Wednesday, BFAR said they see this industry as a potential alternative for small-scale fish farmers, noting that the species offers livelihood opportunity—if cultivated with care and clear safeguards.
The bureau has conducted clustered consultations, starting with the Luzon Cluster, then moving to the Visayas, and concluding in Mindanao, to develop and finalize science-based rules governing the farming of Australian Redclaw Crayfish (ARC) in controlled environments.
The draft guidelines are the result of environmental risk assessments, technical reviews, and inputs from key fisheries stakeholders including researchers, regional implementers, and fisherfolk themselves.
While it presents positive economic potential, its introduction also requires discipline and caution.
“With every opportunity comes responsibility. This initiative is not just about farming a new species—it’s about doing so without harming the natural balance of our inland and coastal ecosystems,” said BFAR Assistant Director for Technical Services Isidro Velayo, Jr.
The guidelines include strict requirements on biosecurity, containment systems, and monitoring, ensuring that ARC farms are managed in a way that prevents escapes and avoids competition with native aquatic life.
This precautionary approach underscores BFAR’s commitment to both innovation and environmental protection.
BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig echoed this balance of progress and responsible farming, emphasizing that ARC is now considered a priority emerging species under the agency’s aquaculture development program.
“This is about expanding livelihood options while protecting what we already have,” he said. “If done right, crayfish farming can be both productive and responsible,” he added.
As BFAR completes its clustered consultations, it calls on local governments, fish farmers, and stakeholders to participate in shaping a policy that ensures long-term success.
These consultations highlighted the need for transitional support, stronger biosecurity, and clear certification rules—inputs that are now being integrated into the final guidelines.
The goal is clear: to support sustainable aquaculture that creates opportunities without compromising the ecosystems that sustain it.
