In the Philippines, ICLARM established close and enduring partnerships for tilapia research with the Freshwater Aquaculture Center (FAC) of Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and the National Freshwater Fisheries Technology Center (NFFTC) of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). In 1987, ICLARM convened a pivotal workshop for tilapia researchers from Africa, Asia, Europe, Israel, and North America, at which the urgent need for genetic improvement of farmed tilapia in Asia was confirmed