Title : Strengthening oyster aquaculture in the Philippines through the bamboo raft technology
Abstract:
Traditionally, oyster farming in Pangasinan involved a time-consuming process in shallow estuarine waters, resulting in relatively small harvests of 12-15 kg per square meter after seven to eight months. In a bid to enhance local oyster production and uplift the livelihoods of fisherfolk, the NFRDI introduced the innovative bamboo raft technology to fisherfolk associations across five Pangasinan municipalities. The bamboo raft technology, incorporating plastic drums as floaters and plastic straps for oyster spat attachment, offers numerous advantages. It was observed that the elevated placement of oysters above the water bottom prevents sand accumulation in the shells, ensuring cleaner produce. Moreover, the mobile structure and optimized nutrient intake result in quicker growth, reducing the cultivation period to five to six months and significantly boosting the oyster size to 22-24 kg per square meter. Testimonials from beneficiaries affirm the impact of this initiative. It was noted the superior quality of oysters from these rafts, providing better returns. One beneficiary also detailed a considerable increase in income and return on investment compared to traditional methods. The success of this venture has primarily benefited local traders and community events, but there's a growing ambition to expand markets beyond Pangasinan. With aspirations to venture into regional markets, the associations seek sustained growth and economic stability. The introduction of the floating bamboo raft technology not only helped economic improvements for local fisherfolk but also improved the oyster culture process, marking a promising path for a sustainable and profitable oyster production in the region.
Keywords: oyster, bamboo raft technology, aquaculture
Audience take-away:
- They will learn new oyster aquaculture technique that yields more in terms of production and increase in income of farmers
- It give our audience new technique in culturing oyster using a more environment-friendly design that yield more than traditional methods of culturing oyster
- We the new innovation for the oyster bamboo raft technique, it gives us solution to recurring issue of siltation and sanitation in traditional oyster bed farms (stake method)
- Produce more than the traditional method
- Environment-friendly aquaculture design
