The BFAR Bicol together with the provincial government of Catanduanes and Catanduanes State University (CatSU) jointly led the stocking of mangrove crablets on March 8,2022 at the BFAR5 Palnab Brackishwater Demonstration Fish Farm and Nursery in Palnab del Sur, Virac, Catanduanes which will serve as the central techno-demo in the province.
The mangrove crab nursery project is in accordance with Republic Act 10857 otherwise known as ‘an act establishing mangrove crab seed banks, nurseries and grow-out production farms in the province of Catanduanes. 12 crab nurseries were established in 11 municipalities with an expected annual production of 1.2 M pieces of crablets with a gross income of more than 31 M for the beneficiaries. The mangrove crablet production in the 12 nurseries will cater almost 90% yearly requirement needed for the pond operators in the province.
During the event, a total of 2.4M worth of livelihood interventions in the form of bottom set gill nets, fiberglass boats, marine engines, aquaponics and post-harvest equipment were awarded by BFAR 5 to 26 fisherfolk associations, 20 individuals,11 LGUs, 1 state university and 1 HighSchool in the island province. A total of 200,000 pieces tilapia fingerlings were given to each LGUs including the Office of the Agriculturist.
Present during the activity were Commodore Eduardo B. Gongona, BFAR National Director, Honorable Joseph Cua, Governor of Catanduanes, Dr Patrick Alain Azanza, President of Catanduanes State University, Honorable Hector Sanchez, Representative of the Lone District of Catanduanes, BFAR 5 Regional Director, Nelson B. Bien, Nilo B. Consuelo, BFAR 5 OIC Production Division, Ms Elymi Ar-j Tuñacao, BFAR Central Office Chief of Aquaculture Division, Nazario Briguera, BFAR CO Information Officer and other officials.
“Ang kasaganahan ng mangrove crablets sa Catanduanes ay dahil sa mayabong na mangrove forest, kaugnay nito ay ang pagtalaga ng Catanduanes crab center na titiyak sa sustenableng produksyon sa crablet industry ng Probinsya. Ang seremonyang ito ay bahagi ng programa ng pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng DA-BFAR na palakasin ang industriya ng mangrove crablets dito sa Catanduanes.Naglabas ang BFAR ng inisyal na pondo na nagkakahalaga ng anim na milyong piso (6M pesos) para maitatag ang 12 nursery sites at techno demo, na may potensyal na kitang aabot sa 31 M pesos. Ang hakbang na ito ay ating kontribusyon tungo sa patuloy na pagpapaunlad ng produksyon ng sektor ng pangisdaan.” BFAR National Director Eduardo Gongona said in his keynote message.
(Source: Bicol Overview)