The Fisheries Research Training Institute (FRTI) located at Barangay Paraoir, Balaoan faces the north-western part of La Union. It is one of the pillars of the University which focuses on fisheries research development, extension, and other related activities in response to the needs of various stakeholders.

The Institute is about 12 kilometers away from the North La Union Campus (NLUC). The newly constructed administrative building houses laboratories: seaweeds lab, aquaculture lab, marine lab, food processing. Also housed are lecture and conference rooms and office units. Meanwhile, the Ortega Marine Educational Center and FRTI Guestel can accommodate a number of participants and/or guests.         

What’s more, fishponds and concrete tanks can be found in the surrounding land area. The coastal water provides clear and clean, oxygen-rich water for its flora and fauna. Edible seaweeds and invertebrates abound. Though less in quantity, a wide array of near shore fishes can also be found. Further offshore are tunas and other pelagic fishes.

Students, fish farmers, fishpond operators, fishermen, rural women, the academe, LGUs, business entrepreneurs, and researchers among others benefit from the Institute.

Issues and concerns on fisheries are numerous; however, the most pressing problem is the decreasing catch brought about by increasing fishing pressures and environmental degradation. Coupled with unwise utilization of aquatic resources, it is inevitable that continues decline of aquatic resources may be observed. It is in this premise that the FRTI is being strengthened to provide avenues for various research activities aimed at providing solutions to different problems in fisheries. (Andie John Tadeo)

Aerial shots by Kevin Molina Sibul