The Department of Agriculture (DA) is initiating a study to assess whether the Australian redclaw crayfish—a highly invasive exotic species—is commercially viable for cultivation in the country’s freshwater ponds.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the program aims to reshape domestic aquaculture by providing another avenue for fish farmers to expand and increase their profits.

“With proper observance of good aquaculture practices and biosecurity measures, the culture of redclaw crayfish offers huge potential that could sustainably transform fish farming in the Philippines,” Tiu Laurel said in a statement.

The on-farm verification trial, which was launched on Thursday, Jan. 15, is being implemented in Nueva Ecija province by the DA, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), alongside private sector partners.

BFAR will supply craylings for the trial through its prototype hatchery at National Freshwater Fisheries Technology Center in Muñoz City, which can produce up to 5,000 craylings per cycle. There are usually three to five cycles a year.

There will be four ponds at the site, stocked at densities of 10 and 15 crayfish per square meter (sqm).

To determine its commercial potential, the trial will assess the survival rate, growth, and feed efficiency of the crayfish in the local setting.

If successful, BFAR will move to full technology demonstrations and packaging protocols to train fish farmers and promote wider adoption in suitable inland areas.

The Bureau formalized the country’s bid to take advantage of the premium prices of Australian redclaw crayfish under Administrative Circular No. 001, issued last year, which set in place the national rules for culturing the species.

The circular noted that there are biological, ecological, and regulatory risks associated with raising the crayfish.

In particular, it warned of potential disease outbreaks, biosecurity breaches, environmental hazards, and even illegal trade.

Given that Australian redclaw crayfish are an invasive species in the country—meaning they are not native to the environment to which they were introduced—their presence could lead to the extinction of native plants and animals, destroy biodiversity, and permanently alter habitats.

Due to these threats, BFAR restricted their culture to controlled conditions to ensure sustainable production, environmental protection, and the conservation of native species.

Prior to the establishment of a crayfish culture facility, owners must first submit a biosecurity plan to BFAR detailing the potential environmental impacts of the species and their proposed mitigation measures.

In addition, broodstock and craylings for culture must come from certified local hatcheries or BFAR facilities to keep biosecurity risks in check.