Transgenic

Milkfish
Renz Albert Emmanuel P. Torres

Cold-tolerant Milkfish
The milkfish is a subtropical to tropical fish species. They
are widely cultured and have high commercial value.
Transgenic milkfish tolerant to stress due to lowered
temperatures would allow the fish to reduce stress due
to colder water temperatures.

WHy
Milkfish broodstock typically spawn at warmer temperatures during
March and October. However, from December to February, there is
minimal to zero spawning. This poses a problem since the country
suffers from stock insufficiency and relies heavily on imported fry.
Genetically modifying milkfish to further resist colder temperatures
may alleviate this problem by enabling them to naturally spawn
during colder periods.

HOW
The production of transgenic milkfish will follow the
method used by AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. in creating
the AquAdvantage Salmon. The fertilized eggs would be
injected with rDNA from the freeze resistant protein gene
from the ocean pout. The introduction of this gene will
ideally, aid in the tolerance of milkfish to lower
temperatures.
Transgenic
Milkfish
IMPACTS OF TRANSGENESIS
In recent times, there is an observable trend of decline in fish caught in the
wild. As a country surrounded by bodies of water, the Philippines relies
heavily on fish as a protein source. The demand for cultured fishes are high.
However, fish production could not keep up with the increasing demand.
Milkfish is a highly valuable commercial fish species that spawns all
throughout the year, except during the months of December through
February. Since there is already insufficient fish stock being produced,
there is a significant value in closing the gap in their production during the
cold months.
Transgenic milkfish engineered to resist colder
temperatures would mean that they would be able to
maintain proper growth and reduce stunting due to lower
temperatures. Faster growth in turn translates to faster
yield and profit for farmers and more supply for consumers.

Additionally, if milkfish broodstock spawning will not be

impeded by lower water temperatures then the 3 months
of unproductivity would be eliminated. Meaning to say, a
more stable supply of fish fry to be produced for rearing.
This would ultimately lead to a better food security.

References:
Dianala, D. R. B. (2020, May 19). Turning up the heat to meet milkfish fry shortage - SEAFDEC/AQD.
SEAFDEC/AQD - Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center | Aquaculture Department.
https://www.seafdec.org.ph/2020/turning-up-the-heat-to-meet-milkfish-fry-shortage/

Ledesma, R. H. (2022, April 12). Milkfish fry sufficiency - SEAFDEC/AQD. SEAFDEC/AQD - Southeast Asian
Fisheries Development Center | Aquaculture Department. https://www.seafdec.org.ph/milkfish-fry-
sufficiency/

Transgenic salmon: 1. What is the product that was deemed safe for human consumption? (n.d.).
https://www.greenfacts.org/en/transgenic-salmon/l-2/index.htm
Upton, H. F., & Cowan, T. (2015). Genetically engineered salmon. In Federation of American Scientists.
Congressional Research Service. https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R43518.pdf