BFAR eyes bigger oyster production
DAGUPAN CITY—The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region 1 is setting its sights on developing oyster production due to the growing demand for oyster sauce in the market.
This was disclosed by BFAR Region 1 Director Nestor Domenden during the 26th Fishery Industry Forum here noting that while demand for oyster sauce is increasing, supply of oyster however is not expanding.
He said the supply has to be addressed today to avoid a situation where processors (of oyster sauce) have to rely on importation of oysters so oyster producers’ linkage to oyster sauce manufacturers are being worked on.
He added there is an initial intervention by BFAR by distributing 600 floating oyster rafts to registered fisher folk. Each raft measures 9 x 9 meters and can produce each 20 tons of oyster every six months, he said.
“We aim to make Region 1 as key contributor to the shellfish development program,” Domenden said.
He identified the towns of Anda, Bolinao, Bani and Alaminos City as the oyster production areas.
Meanwhile, Dr. Westly Rosario, BFAR-National Integrated Fisheries and Technology Development Center (NIFTDC) in Dagupan City, told The PUNCH in an earlier interview that based on his study on the oyster industry in the Philippines, total production from 2005 to 2007 has been increasing from a total volume of 16,494,89 metric tons (MT) to 20,508.05 MT valued at P105,974,000 to P142,011,000.35.
There are seven local species identified but only four are considered of commercial value. C. iredalei, Saccostrea malabonensis, S. palmipes and S. cucullata. Endemic species were found in 13 provinces such as Cavite, Bulacan, Bataan, Pangasinan, Sorsogon, Batangas, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Catbaloga, Western Samar, Northern Leyte and Capiz.
Rosario expressed elation over the renewed attention by BFAR to shellfish culture in the Philippines.
“It’s about time. We have been giving so much effort to this and now we are set to embark on the real task. If mariculture is said to be for the rich, this shellfish program will greatly benefit the poor fish farmers,” Rosario said. (Tita Roces)
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