PRESS RELEASE

BFAR-8 launches culture of Abalone in Guiuan

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region VIII launched culture of abalone, locally known as lapas (Haliotidae) in Brgy. Trinidad, Guiuan, Eastern Samar last April 28, 2016. This livelihood initiative is under the National Shellfish Devel- opment Program where a total of 5,000 shellfish farms have been targeted to be established in Eastern Visayas from 2016-

2020.

BFAR-8 Regional Director Dr. Juan D. Albaladejo turned over 2,700 pieces of Abalone juvenile with sizes 2-3 centimeters together with modular culture cages to Omangat Fisherfolk Association, an active organization in Guiuan.

The Bureau recognizes the region’s potential in producing good quality of shellfish products to uplift the local fishery indus- try.

RD Albaladejo said in his speech during the launching activity that this project is the first of its kind since Abalones are not commercially produced yet in the region. BFAR’s multi-species hatchery, the Guiuan Marine Fisheries Development Center (GMFDC) cultures Abalone only for seedstock production. “The Bureau is positive that this first ever Abalone culture project will generate beneficial livelihood opportunities starting with the Omangat fisherfolk and hopefully with many other fisher- folk in the region and that this will lessen poverty incidence in fishing communities. BFAR envisions for this livelihood pro- ject to succeed so this will turn into a business run by fisherfolk”.

The BFAR Fish Heath Laboratory monitored the coastal waters of Brgy. Trinidad to ensure the feasibility of the project and the results showed that the area is suitable for growing of Abalone.

The modular condominium-like plastic jugs that serve as culture cage was devised by technical staff of Abalone hatchery. Each module has nine (9) jugs containing fifty (50) pieces of Abalone juveniles. The sinkers attached to the jugs were recy- cled plastic bottles filled with sand and stones. The cages are then tied to a ten (10) feet long PVC pipe as a hanging frame which is supported by anchors installed below. Gracilaria bailinae seaweeds are useds as feeds.

Abalone culture is an efficient fishery livelihood with a rising demand in the industry. Abalone costs P120.00 -P150.00 per kilo in Guiuan. There is low cost for feeds since seaweeds can be gathered from the wild and are given to the Abalone only twice or thrice a week.

GMFDC Center Chief Nonita Cabacaba encouraged the fisherfolk to be responsible in the management of the livelihood pro- ject. She reminded them to observe proper cage operation by cleansing the cages weekly and monitoring to keep predators from harming the Abalone.

Gina Oliverio, President of the fisherfolk association expressed their gratitude for the project entrusted to them. They are opti- mistic that they will be able to get additional income for their families. According to her, they commit themselves to effective handling and even expansion of the livelihood in the future.

Furthermore, RD Albaladejo pledged to extend assistance to fisherfolk beneficiaries by putting up a processing plant for val- ue-adding in order to generate bigger income for fisherfolk.

Prepared by:                                                                                                 Approved by:                                                                                                         

MONALIZA M. SABIO                                                                                       DR. JUAN D. ALBALADEJO                                                                      

 IEC Staff                                                                                                            Regional Director