PRC Fisheries Technologist Licensure Examination (Philippines)

Which water quality parameter is the most critical limiting factor in intensive aquaculture pond systems, requiring daily monitoring?

• ADissolved oxygen
• BWater temperature
• CSalinity
• DTurbidity

Under what water quality conditions does unionized ammonia (NH3), which is highly toxic to fish, increase significantly?

• AHigh pH and high temperature
• BLow pH and low temperature
• CHigh pH and low temperature
• DLow pH and high temperature

An aquaculture facility stocking milkfish (Chanos chanos) records a total feed consumption of 1,200 kg and a net fish biomass increase of 800 kg. What is the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) of this culture period?

• A1.50
• B0.67
• C2.00
• D1.20

A fishpond measuring 1.5 hectares is to be stocked with Nile tilapia fingerlings at a density of 5 fish per square meter. What is the total number of fingerlings required?

• A75,000 fingerlings
• B15,000 fingerlings
• C7,500 fingerlings
• D750,000 fingerlings

Which reproductive strategy is characteristic of the female Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) during spawning?

• AMaternal mouthbrooding
• BPaternal mouthbrooding
• CSubstrate nesting without parental care
• DBroadcast spawning in pelagic waters

What is the correct chronological sequence of larval stages in the hatchery culture of the giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon)?

• ANauplius, Zoea, Mysis, Postlarva
• BZoea, Nauplius, Mysis, Postlarva
• CNauplius, Mysis, Zoea, Postlarva
• DZoea, Mysis, Nauplius, Postlarva

Which tissues are the primary targets of replication for the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) in penaeid shrimp?

• AEctodermal and mesodermal tissues, such as cuticular epithelium and connective tissue
• BEndodermal tissues, such as the midgut and hepatopancreas
• COnly the compound eyes and optic nerve
• DOnly the reproductive organs and gonadal connective tissue

A cohort of fish grows from an initial average weight of 10 g to a final average weight of 50 g over a culture period of 40 days. What is the Specific Growth Rate (SGR) of this cohort?

• A4.02% per day
• B1.00% per day
• C2.50% per day
• D3.24% per day

What biological process occurs within the biofilter of a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) to convert toxic nitrogenous wastes?

• ANitrification of ammonia to nitrite, and then to nitrate by aerobic bacteria
• BDenitrification of nitrate to nitrogen gas by anaerobic bacteria
• CAssimilation of ammonium directly into bacterial biomass without oxygen
• DPhotosynthetic assimilation of ammonia by microalgae

What is the recommended Nitrogen-to-Phosphorus (N:P) ratio in fertilizer applications to promote a stable diatom bloom in brackishwater milkfish ponds?

• A10:1 to 16:1
• B1:1 to 2:1
• C100:1 to 150:1
• D5:1 to 8:1

Which hormone is commonly used to induce spawning in mature female carps and catfishes by direct action on the pituitary gland or ovaries?

• AGonadotropin-Releasing Hormone analogue (GnRHa) combined with a dopamine antagonist
• BThyroxine (T4)
• C17beta-estradiol
• DMethyltestosterone

Which bacterial pathogen is the primary causative agent of luminous vibriosis, causing severe mortalities in Penaeus monodon hatcheries in the Philippines?

• AVibrio harveyi
• BVibrio cholerae
• CStreptococcus iniae
• DAeromonas hydrophila

What is the primary function of paddlewheel aerators in intensive aquaculture ponds, besides directly adding dissolved oxygen to the water?

• AGenerating a circular current to accumulate organic waste in the pond center
• BIncreasing salinity by accelerating evaporation rates
• CFiltering out suspended solids and clay particles
• DDirectly killing bacterial pathogens through mechanical impact

What is the major operational challenge associated with biofouling in marine net cage aquaculture?

• ARestricted water exchange, resulting in localized dissolved oxygen depletion
• BRapid accumulation of nitrogen gas in the net mesh
• CDirect predation on cultured fish by fouling organisms
• DExcessive increase in net buoyancy causing cages to float away

How is triploidy induced in aquaculture species, and what is the primary benefit of producing triploid fish?

• ABy applying temperature or pressure shocks to fertilized eggs to prevent polar body extru…
• BBy irradiating sperm before fertilization, producing all-male lines with superior feed co…
• CBy feeding fingerlings synthetic hormones, yielding highly reproductive broodstock
• DBy crossing two distinct species, producing fertile hybrids with disease resistance

What is the optimal water pH range for the growth and health of most warm-water aquaculture species like tilapia and milkfish?

• A6.5 to 9.0
• B4.5 to 6.0
• C9.5 to 11.0
• D7.0 to 7.2 only

What is the primary ecological mechanism of 'green water technology' in intensive Penaeus monodon pond culture?

• ACulturing tilapia in reservoirs to produce water rich in green algae (Chlorella) that inh…
• BUsing green synthetic dyes to shade out benthic weeds
• CAdding high concentrations of liquid nitrogen to turn the water green
• DAllowing floating macrophytes to cover the entire pond surface

How do the salinity tolerances of Penaeus monodon (giant tiger prawn) and Penaeus vannamei (whiteleg shrimp) compare in commercial aquaculture?

• APenaeus vannamei is highly euryhaline and can tolerate lower salinities (down to 0.5-1 pp…
• BPenaeus monodon is strictly freshwater, whereas Penaeus vannamei is strictly marine
• CPenaeus monodon has a wider salinity tolerance range than Penaeus vannamei
• DBoth species require a constant salinity of 35 ppt and cannot survive below 28 ppt

Stoichiometrically, how many grams of dissolved oxygen are consumed by nitrifying bacteria to oxidize one gram of ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) to nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N)?

• AApproximately 4.57 grams
• BApproximately 1.00 gram
• CApproximately 8.34 grams
• DApproximately 2.14 grams

Which protozoan parasite causes 'ich' or white spot disease, characterized by tiny white nodules on the skin and gills of freshwater fishes?

• AIchthyophthirius multifiliis
• BCryptocaryon irritans
• CTrichodina sp.
• DAmyloodinium ocellatum

What is the primary function of binders, such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) or wheat gluten, in commercial aquaculture feed formulations?

• ATo improve water stability, preventing the pellet from disintegrating quickly in water
• BTo increase the crude protein percentage of the feed
• CTo act as a growth hormone stimulant for fish larvae
• DTo reduce the overall manufacturing cost of the feed

Which combination of species is a classic example of brackishwater polyculture in the Philippines, maximizing the utilization of natural food resources?

• AMilkfish (Chanos chanos) and Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
• BRainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
• CCatfish (Clarias macrocephalus) and Giant Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)
• DSiganids (Siganus canaliculatus) and Grouper (Epinephelus coioides)

Which Gram-positive bacterium is a major pathogen in tilapia aquaculture, causing 'mad fish disease' characterized by erratic swimming, exophthalmia, and septicemia?

• AStreptococcus iniae
• BVibrio vulnificus
• CFlavobacterium columnare
• DEdwardsiella tarda

Why are artificial shelters or substrates installed in nursery and grow-out facilities for the mud crab (Scylla serrata)?

• ATo reduce cannibalism during the vulnerable molting stages
• BTo increase dissolved oxygen levels through surface aeration
• CTo provide attachment surfaces for microalgae colonization
• DTo facilitate mechanical harvesting operations

What is the biological principle of gynogenesis in fish breeding, and what is its primary practical application?

• AFertilization of eggs with genetically inactivated sperm, followed by diploidization shoc…
• BCrossing two distinct genera to produce sterile, fast-growing triploid hybrids
• CUsing hormones to reverse females into functional males that sire all-male offspring
• DSelf-fertilization of hermaphroditic species to establish highly inbred lines

Which of the following fishing gears is classified as an 'active' fishing gear under Philippine fisheries regulations?

• ATrawl
• BGillnet
• CLongline
• DFish trap

According to the Philippine Fisheries Code (RA 8550 as amended), what is the minimum mesh size allowed for nets used in municipal waters, excluding specific exceptions for small fry?

• A3 cm (30 mm)
• B2 cm (20 mm)
• C5 cm (50 mm)
• D1 cm (10 mm)

In fish biology and population dynamics, what does the term 'fecundity' refer to?

• AThe total number of mature eggs in the ovary of a female fish prior to spawning
• BThe percentage of eggs that successfully hatch into larvae
• CThe ratio of female to male fish in a spawning population
• DThe age at which a fish reaches sexual maturity

What is the primary function of 'otter boards' (or doors) in bottom trawl operations?

• ATo spread the net mouth horizontally using hydrodynamic forces during towing
• BTo scare fish into the path of the net using acoustic vibrations
• CTo weigh down the groundrope to keep the net on the seabed
• DTo act as floatation devices to prevent the net from sinking too deep

Which fisheries management concept represents the largest average catch that can be captured from a stock over an indefinite period without depleting the population?

• AMaximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)
• BTotal Allowable Catch (TAC)
• CMaximum Economic Yield (MEY)
• DSpawning Stock Biomass (SSB)

In the Philippines, what is the local name for the Southwest Monsoon, which brings warm, moist air and heavy rainfall from June to October?

• AHabagat
• BAmihan
• CSalatan
• DTimog

What is the local name for the Northeast Monsoon in the Philippines, which prevails from November to March, bringing cool, dry air?

• AAmihan
• BHabagat
• CKanaway
• DSabolas

Under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), which vessel has the right of way when a power-driven fishing vessel and a sailing vessel are in a crossing situation?

• AThe sailing vessel
• BThe power-driven fishing vessel
• CWhichever vessel is larger
• DWhichever vessel is on the starboard side of the other

What is the primary function of the 'purse line' (or purse cable) during purse seine fishing operations?

• ATo pull the bottom of the net together to form a bag, preventing fish from escaping downw…
• BTo pull the net back onto the deck after fishing
• CTo keep the top of the net floating on the sea surface
• DTo secure the net to the side of the vessel during brailing

Which method is considered the most accurate for determining the daily age and growth rates of tropical fish larvae and juveniles?

• ACounting daily micro-increments in sagittal otoliths
• BAnalyzing length-frequency distribution data using software
• CCounting annual rings on scales
• DMeasuring tag-recapture intervals in the wild

In the Von Bertalanffy Growth Function (VBGF), which parameter represents the theoretical maximum length that a fish species can reach?

• AL-infinity
• BK (growth coefficient)
• Ct-zero
• DL-fifty

Which group of marine fish is the primary target of pelagic longline fishing operations in international waters?

• ATunas and billfishes
• BGroupers and snappers
• CAnchovies and sardines
• DFlounders and soles

What is the primary conservation benefit of using circle hooks instead of traditional J-hooks in longline fisheries?

• AThey hook fish in the jaw rather than the gut, increasing post-release survival
• BThey are biodegradable and dissolve rapidly if lost
• CThey prevent the capture of any non-target species
• DThey require less bait to attract pelagic fish

What marine safety device automatically transmits a distress signal to search and rescue satellites if a fishing vessel sinks?

• AEmergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
• BVessel Monitoring System (VMS)
• CSingle Side Band (SSB) Radio
• DGlobal Positioning System (GPS)

In vessel stability, what is the condition of a vessel if its Metacenter (M) is located below its Center of Gravity (G)?

• AUnstable equilibrium, causing the vessel to capsize or list
• BStable equilibrium, with a strong righting arm
• CNeutral equilibrium, where the vessel remains in any position it is heeled
• DMaximum stability, permitting heavy deck loading

Under Republic Act 8550, municipal waters are defined to include marine waters up to how far from the coastline?

• A15 kilometers
• B15 miles
• C3 kilometers
• D200 nautical miles

How does the frequency of an echo sounder affect its performance in detecting fish school depth and resolution during fishing operations?

• AHigh frequency (e.g., 200 kHz) provides high resolution in shallow water but has limited…
• BLow frequency (e.g., 38 kHz) provides high resolution in shallow water but has limited de…
• CHigh frequency provides deep penetration but low target resolution
• DFrequency has no effect on depth penetration or target resolution

Which of the following fish species exhibits a 'catadromous' migration pattern during its life cycle?

• AAnguilla marmorata (Giant mottled eel)
• BChanos chanos (Milkfish)
• CSardinella lemuru (Bali sardinella)
• DOncorhynchus sp. (Pacific salmon)

In fisheries stock assessment, what does the total mortality coefficient (Z) represent?

• AThe sum of natural mortality (M) and fishing mortality (F)
• BThe percentage of fish that die due to pollution and environmental degradation
• CThe ratio of harvested biomass to unharvested biomass
• DThe rate of natural death in the absence of any fishing activity

What is the primary characteristic of 'batch spawners' (or fractional spawners) in fish reproduction?

• AThey release mature eggs in multiple distinct groups or intervals throughout a single spa…
• BThey release all their eggs in a single massive event and die immediately
• CThey spawn only once in their lifetime after migrating to their natal waters
• DThey produce eggs that are fertilized inside the female body

Which of the following statements correctly describes lines of latitude and longitude on a standard marine navigation chart?

• ALatitude lines run East-West and measure angular distance North or South of the Equator
• BLongitude lines run East-West and measure angular distance North or South of the Equator
• CLatitude lines run North-South and measure angular distance East or West of the Prime Mer…
• DBoth latitude and longitude lines run parallel to the Equator

Which biological mechanism describes how fish are caught in a standard drift gillnet?

• AGilling, wedging, or tangling behind the operculum or fins
• BVoluntary entry into an enclosed chamber seeking shelter
• CIngestion of a concealed hook suspended from a branch line
• DSuction into a bag net via a high-speed water column