Shellfish development in the works
A COMPREHENSIVE development program for shellfish farming will start in Dagupan this month under the auspices of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (BFAR-NIFTDC).
The program aims to modernize the traditional backyard farming practices of farmers in order to produce bigger and higher-quality shellfish for a larger commercial production and export.
Dr. Westly Rosario, NIFTDC chief, said he submitted the proposed program during a national conference of BFAR in Antipolo City last week as a major undertaking of the bureau this year.
Rosario added that he is also set to submit the same proposal to the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for a grant to fund a more comprehensive research for the project.
Korea and China are being eyed as major importers of the shellfish produced through the program.
“Through the research, we can help enhance shellfish culture and provide more food for the Filipinos, provide livelihood and create new businesses that could earn additional foreign exchange for the country,” he said.
Rosario said while there is a potentially big income from oysters, mussels, scallops and other shellfish, the development for the production of these bivalves has not been given due attention.
Under the proposal, NIFTDC will spearhead the research at its hatchery facilities in Dagupan to determine the right technology for shellfish production along the country’s coast line and identify the most feasible coastal areas around the country.
Training programs and technology transfer will later be conducted by the NIFTDC’s Asian Fisheries Academy.
TALABANG TSINELAS
The Talabang Tsinelas specie that grows up to the size of an adult male’s flip-flops and being raised in Cagayan, will be the focus of research.
The NIFTDC will bring and propagate it in Dagupan hatchery then stock them in some coastal areas in Pangasinan initially where smaller varieties of the specie are currently being grown.
The towns of Bolinao and Anda have the highest potential, according to Rosario.
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