Aquaculture

The future of marine resources: Philippines and BBNJ

The future of marine resources.

The Philippines is intensifying its efforts to ratify a landmark international treaty aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), reinforcing its commitment to ocean conservation and sustainable marine resource management

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has pledged full support to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in promoting the Senate’s concurrence to the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). Signed under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the BBNJ treaty addresses the conservation and equitable use of marine resources in high seas and other regions beyond exclusive national control.

Although Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President ratified the agreement in 2024-a year after its global adoption - the treaty still requires Senate concurrence before the Philippines can officially participate.

Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., Agriculture Secretary emphasised the agreement's relevance for the Philippines, said, “The BBNJ Agreement is crucial for conserving and sustainably managing marine biodiversity in areas beyond the Philippines’ jurisdiction, allowing the country to safeguard its rich marine ecosystems while ensuring fair access to and equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources.”

As a nation composed of over 7,000 islands and located near areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), the Philippines has a strong stake in the treaty’s success. It was an early signatory and active participant in the negotiation process, aligning with global conservation goals and the principles of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award.

Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate stressed the strategic timing of the ratification: once approved by the Senate, the Philippines will be eligible to participate in the first Conference of Parties (COP1). This milestone event is expected to take place shortly after 60 countries submit their ratification instruments to the United Nations. As of late August, 55 nations have completed the process, with momentum building towards reaching the required threshold during the UN General Assembly from September 23–26.

The BBNJ treaty represents a critical tool for archipelagic nations like the Philippines—not only to influence global marine governance but also to safeguard marine ecosystems, promote fair benefit-sharing, and support the livelihoods of coastal communities reliant on ocean resources.

Modular solar-storage innovation powers sustainable aquaculture

The event brought together over 300 industry experts. (Image credit: Sigenergy)

Sigenergy, a key player in renewable energy innovation, recently showcased its modular commercial and industrial (C&I) solar-storage system at Sigenergy Day APAC in Hainan

The event brought together over 300 industry experts, partners, clients, and media professionals to explore the evolving landscape of solar-storage technology. A particular highlight of the event was a tour of a new aquaculture project powered entirely by solar and storage technology—demonstrating a bold step forward in sustainable energy applications beyond traditional sectors.

The seawater fish farming project, located in Hainan, uses Sigenergy’s advanced C&I inverters and the SigenStack energy storage system to power its operations. With a setup integrating 6 MW of solar power and 5 MWh of storage capacity, the project shows how clean energy can be effectively used in the demanding environment of aquaculture. It is a significant case study for how renewable energy can reduce operational costs and support environmental goals in industries that depend on consistent and intensive energy use.

This fish farm, focused on cultivating the high-value Leopard Coral Grouper, requires stringent control over its operating environment. Maintaining stable water temperature, constant oxygen supply, and controlled lighting is essential to the survival of the fish. These needs drive high energy consumption, with the farm using around 43,200 kWh daily and more than 15 million kWh annually. Sigenergy’s system drastically cuts the farm’s reliance on the grid and offers a cost-effective, environmentally conscious energy solution.

The site posed several logistical and environmental challenges that traditional energy systems could not solve. However, Sigenergy’s modular design provided key advantages. Space was a major limitation, with narrow corridors between ponds making bulky container systems impractical. The compact, plug-and-play nature of Sigenergy’s solution allowed it to be easily installed without wasting valuable space.

Transport and installation were also simplified. As the site is located near water networks, heavy machinery access was impossible. Sigenergy’s lightweight units, which don’t require cranes, enabled the system to be fully set up in just four days. The sandy soil also posed structural concerns, but the modular design allowed even weight distribution, reducing foundation stress and ensuring safety.

Being just 300 metres from the sea, the site is exposed to salt-heavy air and humidity. Sigenergy’s equipment is built to last under such harsh conditions, with IP66 and C5-M protection ratings that provide high-level resistance to corrosion and ensure long-term performance.

This deployment not only delivers reliable and clean energy for the aquaculture industry but also stands as a scalable model for energy transformation in other complex, high-demand environments.

Indonesia seeks China's help to boost AI in farming and fisheries

Some areas of agriculture in Indonesia are already using AI.

Indonesia’s ministry of communication and digital (Komdigi) has reached out to China for cooperation in using artificial intelligence (AI) in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

The announcement was made by Minister Meutya Hafid on July 27, 2025.

According to Hafid, some areas of agriculture in Indonesia are already using AI. However, she believes China’s support could help strengthen these technologies and increase productivity in farming and fisheries - two key sectors for the country.

The partnership is also expected to include broader cooperation in digital infrastructure and education. One of the main goals is to create stronger ties between universities in both countries.

Indonesia is especially interested in working with China’s Tsinghua University, one of the world’s top institutions for technology and innovation. Ismail, the Secretary-General of Komdigi, said that there are plans to encourage the university to open a branch in Indonesia that would focus on AI training and education. He noted that many young Indonesians are already studying there, and bringing the university closer could benefit local talent development.

The Indonesian government emphasized that it remains open to collaborating with any nation, as long as its laws and digital policies are respected. Komdigi continues to push forward with digital transformation efforts to improve various sectors of the economy through international partnerships.

Luminis and Forvis Mazars: a new era in AgTech innovation

The partnership will unlock new avenues for impact across food systems, carbon resilience, and soil health.

Luminis, a global leader in microbiome intelligence and precision agri-tech solutions, has partnered with Forvis Mazars in India to expand its impact in the aquaculture and soil microbiome sector for agriculture

The partnership will unlock new avenues for impact across food systems, carbon resilience, and soil health. Nalanda Capital Partners, the strategic advisory and capraise arm, facilitated the move.

Rachelle Jensen, CEO of Luminis, said, “By joining forces with Forvis Mazars and Nalanda Capital Partners, we will be able to combine science-backed solutions, powerful industry networks, and catalytic capital to deliver next-gen solutions and rewrite the future of farming.”

The extensive network with Forvis Mazars will enable Luminis to deepen its footprint in India's thriving agri-sector, utilizing its Omni Biome AI platform and deep genomics capabilities to tackle challenges such as soil degradation, yield instability, disease rise, and climate resilience. Luminis is accelerating the deployment of next-gen bioproducts and microbiome-based solutions designed for India's dynamic agri-food systems, leveraging extensive Next Gen Sequencing and AI-driven insights. This expansion will enhance food security and national prosperity, as agriculture and allied activities contribute approximately 16% to India's GDP.

“This partnership marks a strategic step for Forvis Mazars in India as we help farmers to further unlock value in the crop production and aquaculture sectors,” said Ajay Kakra, Associate Partner, Government, Infrastructure & Development sector Advisory Services, Forvis Mazars in India. “By supporting Luminis, we combine innovation with our sectoral expertise to scale microbiome solutions that can transform Indian agriculture and drive real, lasting impact.”

“This partnership represents the exact kind of visionary science and scalable impact Nalanda Capital Partners is proud to back,” added Ayan Desai, co-founder at Nalanda Capital Partners. “Together, we’re planting the seeds for a healthier, more sustainable food system— one microbe at a time.”

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Microwave moisture measurement. (Image source: Hydronix)

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