ISLA CORALS (Integrated Support for Local Actions Towards Coastal and Ocean Resources Amelioration and Livelihood Sustainability) Program Phase 2: Tie-crab Fattening, Multi-species Herbivore Fish Culture, Seaweed Farming, Mangrove Conservation and Fishery Law Enforcement
Accomplishments
Accomplishments
1. The project exceeded the 20-hectare target for mangrove reforestation as the actual area planted with native mangrove species now covered about 100 hectares equivalent to 500% accomplishment. Based on the latest ocular inspection conducted in December 2016, the mangrove trees were found to have grown to about ten feet tall and are still growing robustly.
2. The project likewise accomplished additional outputs beyond its original targets. In particular, the project encouraged the members of the fishers organizations and women livelihood associations to strictly enforce the municipal fishery ordinances in both Lavezares and Rosario that ban illegal cutting of mangrove trees. Guarding and monitoring of mangrove forest was regularly carried out thereby preventing poachers from illegally entering the mangrove forest and cutting the mangrove trees. At the same time, the project installed boundary markers around the perimeters of the protected mangrove areas as a deterrent to illegal entry in the mangrove forest. Overall, the project protected more than 1000 hectares of existing mangrove forests in the Municipalities of Lavezares and Rosario; 3. The number of tie-crab farms and multi-species herbivore fish farms established in the remaining five barangays exceeded by 100%. Instead of 10, the project developed a total of 23 farms including the farms in Barobaybay and Sabang Tabok; |
4.. Upgraded knowledge, skills, and values of officers of local organizations and local officials on ecological mangrove restoration. Instead of the formal and more theoretical format of training, the project conducted on-the-job mentoring on ecological mangrove restoration.
Mentoring involves field orientation on selection and collection of propagules and the proper technique of direct seeding of propagules. Also, planting of propagules was supervised by the forestry officer to ensure the application of the correct technique of mangrove planting. Overall, the project trained a total of 462 individuals involving both male and female members of six fishers organizations and two women livelihood associations; 5. Upgraded the knowledge, skills, and values of the members of fishers organizations. Instead of formal training, hands-on mentoring and demonstration was conducted by the consultant and the two trained leaders from Barangay Sabang Tabok and Barobaybay on the application of the tie-crab fattening technology and the mud crab grow-out during the actual construction of the tie-crab and mud crab farms. Mentoring involved actual demonstration of how to tie the crab, laying the poles in the farm, placement of tied crabs in the poles, feeding of crabs, and farm maintenance. A total of 292 members of fishers organizations were trained by the project involving 12 organizations; |
Conducted subsector study of the province’s local crab industry. A summary of the findings are:
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TIE-CRAB FATTENING
Adoption of tie-crab fattening technology offered many advantages compared to the usual crab fattening in pen or pond. Individualized feeding results in higher feed efficiency because the crabs consume the feeds with only a small amount of waste. All crabs grow robustly because each crab is provided individually with the required amount of feed rations based on weight requirement while in the pond system, crab fight for food during group feeding with weaker crabs not being able to get enough food resulting in slower growth. Crabs cannot escape during flooding due to sea-level rise because each crab is attached to a bamboo pole. The technique makes crab fattening disaster-resilient because the crabs can be placed in safer location during a storm. Higher return on investment with 98% profit in about 30 days. The usual practice on crab fattening in the Philippines is through mixed stocking of lean crabs, both male and female, in an encircled pond. The crabs are fed twice daily using either trash fish or fortified commercial feeds at a rate of 10% of the crab biomass until final harvest after 30 fattening days. The daily ration is given equally, one in the morning and another at late afternoon by broadcasting the feeds. |
Based on experience, at most 50% of the total number of crabs stocked was ready for harvest while half remains lean. A substantial amount of feed is wasted and retained in the pond which in the case of fortified commercial feeds also becomes water pollutants. In most instances, some crabs burrow into the mud and are difficult to locate or in cases of flooding of the pond, the crabs escape with the flood water.
Tie-crab fattening is tying lean crabs with a buoy, attaching the crabs individually in bamboo stakes two meters apart in the crab farm and feeding each crab based on feed requirement by weight. |
MULTI-SPECIES HERBIVORE FISH CULTURE
The high cost entailed by the external input oriented monoculture of fish discriminated against subsistent fishers who are not capable of providing the required capital investment. Likewise, intensive monoculture of high-value fish that requires the massive application of chemical products such as chemical fertilizers, lime, flocculants, algicides, and disinfectants pose hazards and risks to farm workers and consumers in terms occupational, food safety and public health. Furthermore, the current aquaculture technologies used in fish farming require heavy usage of chemicals that cause water pollution that may cause permanent damage to the natural ecosystem.
Multispecies herbivore fish culture is low-cost because the materials used are locally available such as the fingerlings of native rabbit fish, the fry of native shrimp and the native variety of seaweeds - Gracilaria. The technology is also eco-friendly because the fish feed which is Gracilaria captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and uses the same to grow and multiply. Likewise, there is an abundance of feeds for both rabbit fish, and shrimp as Gracilaria like any other seaweed grows three times every 45 days. Furthermore, Gracilaria provides additional income because the surplus harvest can be dried and sold to seaweed buyers. |
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Distribution of Nylon Ropes for Gracilaria (Seaweed) Farming
Farm Propagation of Gracilaria (Seaweed) Seedlings
Ecological Mangrove Restoration (Steps and Techniques)
1. Accounting and Transporting of Propagules (Mangrove Seeds)
2. Raising Seedlings in Bamboo Pots or Polyethylene Bags
3. Direct planting of propagules in denuded mangrove areas not affected by strong current of tidal movements
4. Transplanting of bamboo potted seedlings or in polyethylene bags raised in mangrove nursery
5. Paying the mangrove planters directly in the field
6. Safeguarding mangrove plants by installing warning signs and conducting regular visits to the mangrove restoration sites
Restored and Protected Mangrove Areas after 8 years
Photo taken by Leonardo Rosario in December 2016
Photo taken by Leonardo Rosario in December 2016