 Background Through the years, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources National Freshwater Fisheries Technology Center (BFAR-NFFTC) has been active in the development of tilapia. Together with the Central Luzon State University Freshwater Aquaculture Center (CLSU-FAC), Norway Institute for Aquaculture Research and the University of the Philippines (UPMSI), it has played a major role as one of the pioneering collaborative national partners in the implementation of GIFT Project or the Genetic Improvement of Farmed tilapia project was coordinated by International Center for living Aquatic Resources management (ICLARM) from 1987 to 1997 with funding from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The result was the development of a synthetic tilapia of African and Asian strain known since then as the GIFT strain. The success of the Gift Project proves that the systematic and selective breeding could be performed on tropical fish species like Nile Tilapia. Upon the termination of the project in May 1997, BFAR, ICLARM, and CLSU organized and founded the GIFT Foundation International, Inc (GFII), a non-stock, non-profit corporation. All the Project collaborators were provided access to the GIFT breeding material technically known as the 8th generation progeny. 
The BFAR-NTCC sustained the development of the fast growing GIFT as envisioned in the Philippine National Tilapia Breeding Program. The GIFT breeding materials acquired by the Center was renamed as the genetically enhanced tilapia or GET 2000. from this parent line and other best breeds of tilapia developed thru rigid testing in diverse agro-climactic conditions of the country evolved the base population of BFAR GET 2002 EXCEL Tilapia. The technique was adopted by the Center is a conventional set-up for a selection program for addictive genetic effects. Also, the addition of new genes of O. Nilotcus from unrelated families was incorporated to the selection process to further enhance its good traits. From the genetic materials mentioned. Combined family and within family selection was adopted. Fish marking or physical tagging of fish becomes essential to provide pedigree information and increased accuracy of selection through combined selection strategies. Performing selection is like walking in a stairway. Any additional techniques applied should be towards genetic gain. This new release of superior breed of tilapia is dubbed as BFAR GET 2002 EXCEL Tilapia short for EXcellent strain that has Comparable advantage with strains for Entrepreneurial Livelihood projects in support to aquaculture for rural development. The EXCEL Tilapia went public on Oct. 16, 2002 to coincide with the celebration of the Fish conservation Week and World Food Day. Result of On-Station The on-station study was conducted for 2 years using the classical genetic improvement protocol approach. The study showed that selected breeds of tilapia (GIFT 8th generation) reached 100g in 2.5 months at higher stocking density. On the other hand, on station trial of the mixed sex BFAR GET 2002 EXCEL Tilapia showed an additional gain in weight of 38.12g to every 100g of the 8th generation fish at a much shorter time. Thus, cropping can also be increased to 4 crops per year. On station trials indicated substantial increase in production using EXCEL Tilapia compared to normal mixed sex tilapia. |
GROWTH GAIN CHART 
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