SEAFDEC Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center
The Project Management Unit (PMU) at SEAFDEC for the project “Blue Horizon: Ocean Relief through Seaweed Aquaculture” led by the Project Manager/Technical Advisor, Mr. Muhamad Nour, visited the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department (AQD) at its Tigbauan Main Station in Iloilo, Philippines on 18–19 June 2025. The representatives from the SEAFDEC Secretariat and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) also joined the visit. The guests were welcomed by the Chief of AQD, Mr. Dan Balio, and the relevant staff. The visit was intended to build a stronger coordination and foster a shared understanding among the partners of the Project, paving the way for effective collaboration in the implementation phase of the Project.
During the meeting, Mr. Nour presented a comprehensive overview of the Project objectives and implementation strategy, including the roles and responsibilities of the PMU and Executing Agencies (EAs) under each Project component. He also emphasized the importance of enhanced coordination among the EAs to ensure the timely delivery of Project outputs. Moreover, the representatives from BFAR provided updates on the progress of the in-country process, particularly the final steps for the Philippines to become an official signatory to the Project.
Implemented from 2024 until 2028, the Project is aimed at creating new sustainable seaweed value chains that will deliver ecosystem services and provide socioeconomic benefits. With funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the four main components of the Project are 1) Regional approach and capacity for seaweed value chains in Southeast Asia; 2) Enabling Environment for Seaweed Aquaculture in Philippines and Viet Nam; 3) Seaweed Value Chains (production + processing + marketing); and 4) Knowledge Management, M&E, and IW Learn (regional). WWF US serves as the GEF Implementing Agency, while SEAFDEC acts as Lead Executing Agency and hosts the PMU.
