THE Iloilo Provincial Government will put up a crab hatchery worth P5 million in Concepcion this year to help conserve and restore the population of kasag or blue swimming crab.
In partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Saravia Blue Crab, and Philippine Association of Crab Processors Inc. (Pacpi), the crab hatchery will be built within the compound of Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC) in Concepcion.
The crab hatchery will serve as a research and learning facility for on-the-job trainings of students of NIPSC and other tertiary schools offering fisheries related courses.
BFAR will provide technical assistance in its operation, assist in the sea ranching activities, and reproduce and disseminate information, education and campaign materials.
It will also study its impact and augment inputs (e.g. stocks, feeds, laboratory supplies and equipment) for the operation and maintenance of the hatchery.
Pacpi will also provide technical assistance and technical personnel to oversee and assist in its operation, particularly in the production.
rSaravia Blue, on the other hand, will provide berried or gravid crabs caught or sold to them and provide the province with information for the effective enforcement of crab ordinances.
The proposed crab hatchery project is inspired by the success of the same in Escalante, Negros Occidental. A memorandum of agreement to establish the project is currently being finalized by the Provincial Agriculture’s Office. (PR)