News & Views Breeding
GenoMar receives Specific Pathogen Free certification

July 5, 2022 By Hatchery International staff

GenoMar's tilapia breeding program in the Philippines has been running since 1999. (Photo: GenoMar Genetics Group)

The Philippines Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has granted the world’s first Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) certification to a tilapia producer.

The newly-certified facility is GenoMar Genetics Group’s nucleus and grandparent site located at the Central Luzon State University where the company has been operating a breeding program since 1999. This facility acts as a hub to other tilapia farms in Asia and Latin America.

The SPF certification covers viral pathogens most significant to tilapia aquaculture – TiLV (Tilapia Lake Virus disease), VER (Viral Encephalopathy and Retinopathy, also known as VNN) and Megalocytovirus (Iridoviral disease). It means that companies and countries importing genetic material from this facility are in good health and have low risk of transferring these pathogens.

According to GenoMar’s press release, the certification process began three years ago as the facility was frequently audited. Samples from the fish were collected and analyzed by PCR, following the guidelines set by the World Organisation for Animal Health.

“We are extremely proud of this achievement and want to congratulate all our old and existing colleagues for having secured an excellent health status on this iconic facility over the years”, said Alejandro Tola Alvarez, CEO of GenoMar Group.