This manual demonstrates protocols for the open sea farming for increased biomass production of the Philippine blue sponge. Two types of farming methods are presented --- Type 1: String Method and Type 2: Floating Method. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. An advantage of the floating method over the string method is it reduces the chances of predation on the explants by the main predator of the Philippine blue sponge, a nudibranch known as Jorunna funebris. Another advantage of the Type 2 method is that deployment and collection of explants, and maintenance works can be done without SCUBA diving, therefore, is cheaper overall. However, a disadvantage of a floating setup is its higher exposure to wind and waves, which increases the chances of being destroyed, especially during the typhoon season.

Introduction                                                                                                      1

Site selection                                                                                                    2

Type 1: String Method                                                                                      5

Construction of underwater structure                                                     7

Deployment and establishment of mariculture setup                           12

Explant collection, documentation, and deployment                           14

Monitoring and maintenance of explants                                             14

Type 2: Floating Method                                                                                22

Construction of floating mariculture platform                                        22

Deployment of floating platform                                                            27

Construction of hanging artificial substrate                                           29

Collection, deployment, and maintenance of explants                          31