ROXAS City – The city government wants to develop oyster farming.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) recently discussed this with city officials.
Also presents were representatives from the Gerry Roxas Foundation – Hublag; United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Fish Right Program; and the Crystal Bay Oysters.
Oyster farming is an aquaculture practice in which oysters are bred and raised either for their pearls, shells or inner organ tissue.
“It is our desire to further develop and promote oyster farming in Roxas City. I am glad that various agencies and organizations are ready to assist us,” said Mayor Ronnie Dadivas.
Roxas City in the province of Capiz is known as the Seafood Capital of the Philippines due to its abundant sea resources / harvest.
There are oyster growers in this city. According to Dadivas, they need help to improve production.
Oysters naturally grow in estuarine bodies of brackish water. When farmed, the temperature and salinity of the water are controlled (or at least monitored), so as to induce spawning and fertilization, as well as to speed the rate of maturation.
Oyster culture lends itself as a mean of providing artisanal occupation to coastal communities either as a principal mean of livelihood or to augment overall income. The latter is true in coastal areas where fishing and aquaculture activities supplement each other; when the sea becomes too rough for fishing, then the small-scale fisherman can turn to his oyster farm to be able to meet his family needs.
In addition, oyster farming, if widespread, can help ease fishing pressure in over-fished waters as it diversifies the income sources of fishermen./PN
