), locally known as samaral, as part of its efforts to diversify Philippine aquaculture and create more livelihood opportunities for Filipino fisherfolk and fish farmers. “By giving fisherfolk direct access to technology and strong market support, we can boost the production of samaral nationwide,” DA-BFAR National Director Elizer S. Salilig said. Unlike species that are still largely experimental for aquaculture, samaral already has established technologies covering controlled breeding, hatchery seed production, nursery, and grow-out. These characteristics, together with established culture protocols and consumer familiarity, make samaral a strong candidate for aquaculture diversification. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed samaral aquaculture production increased from 153.89 metric tons in 2021 to 361.57 metric tons in 2025.