Guillermo Luzada Ablan is recognized as one of the pioneer Filipino Fisheries scientists, starting his career as a Junior Scientist in the Bureau of Science in 1932. He spent the best 40 years of his work with the BFAR. He retired on February 8, 1973, and settled in Laoag City, his birthplace. Not much has been written about his works or his pioneering projects except for the initial profile of him as provided and published by noted author Melchor Cichon of the UP-Visayas (Miag-ao, Iloilo) School of Fisheries.
Some of the projects initiated/ established by the late Director Ablan are the folllowing:
1. Nalvo Fry Bank, in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte
2. Seaweeds Propagation Station, in Burgos, Ilocos Norte
3. Laoag City Fish Seed Center and Nursery, in Laoag City
4. Pangasinan Fishery School, Lucap, Alaminos, Pangasinan
5. Provincial Freshwater Sanctuary, Mangatarem, Pangasinan
6. Provincial Demonstration Oyster Farm, Bimmaley, Pangasinan
7. Calasiao Estuarine Fishpond, Calasiao, Pangasinan
8. Marine Biological Station in Lucap, Alaminos, Pangasinan
9. Tambac Bay Applied Research Station, in Lucap, Alaminos, Pangasinan
10. Inirangan Lake Freshwater Fish Sanctuary, Mangatarem, Pangasinan
11. Lingayen Gulf Seaweed Culture Station, in Tandoyong, Anda, Pangasinan
12. Northern Luzon Demonstration Fish Farm at Claveria and Pamplona, Cagayan, Northern Philippines
13. Ilocos Sur Demonstration Oyster Farm in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur
14. Hinigaran Experimental Fish Farm, Occidental Negros
15. Several Fishery Projects under the EEA-Fisheries Development Project.
Given his substantial contribution and research work in the field of Philippine Fisheries, perhaps it is fitting that somehow the agency which he served with passion and dedication, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources should give him an appropriate recognition. He died quietly in his home in Laoag City and with his family on February 10, 1980 at the age of 77.
