January 25, 2008

Philippines encourages fish farmers on mudcrab enterprise

The Philippines' Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) are currently encouraging fish farmers in the coastal areas of Cagayan province to try mudcrab culture.

BFAR said mudcrab farming offers huge potential as the Philippine delicacy caters to high-end market and is served on special occasions.

Elpidio Palattao, BFAR senior aquaculturist, said mudcrab is indigenous in the region, which allows farmers to easily use it for aquaculture business.

Mudcrab is presently concentrated only at Cagayan's municipality of Buguey, Palattao said in a recent presentation during the Technology Roadshow held at CSU campus in Aparri, Cagayan.

BFAR explained that mudcrab can be cultured either in brackishwater fishponds or at mangrove areas through an environment-friendly technology known as 'Aquasilvi' or mangrove aquaculture.

Mangrove aquaculture involves the utilization of water salinity ranging from 15 to 32 parts per thousand (ppt) with pond depth of at least 50 to 60 centimeters.

For mudcrab farming, income per cropping is estimated at PHP20,000 (US$490) while production cost is at PHP38,000 (US$931). This is for a production of 422 kilos (930 lb) from 2,000 pieces crablings cultured.

Mudcrab can also be polycultured with tilapia and milkfish, according to Palattao.