MUSSEL SPATS NOW AVAILABLE AT UP VISAYAS
MUSSEL PRODUCTION in the Philippines is facing a challenge: the insufficient supply of seed stock.
To address the problem of low production of mussel spats, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), funded the Mussel Hatchery Project. The project, which was implemented by the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) in Miag-ao, Iloilo, aimed to develop technologies to ensure a reliable supply of mussel spats for grow-out operation.
Following the method established by the project, transport of broodstock from the natural mussel ground to the UPV hatchery, which takes seven to 36 hours after harvest, attained high survival rate of 98%.
The “warm water spawning technique” was also employed and had consistently exhibited good results. This technique uses thermal shock, which progressively heats the water up to 35OC or through repetitive temperature changes.
Transitioning from “D-hinged” to “early spat” stage of about 1 mm provided more than 4% survival rate, which was higher than that obtained in other Asian countries, with only 1 to 2%. D-hinged is the 4th stage in mussel development that occurs on the 24th to 48th hour after fertilization. The spent spawners, which is characterized by an empty gonad or with few gametes left in its gonadal sac on its matured stage, were rematured by restocking them in the natural environment.
Mussel farmers, entrepreneurs, vendors, middlemen, processors, researchers, technicians, extension workers, policy makers, and consumers are set to benefit from this project. (DR. MARY JANE A. AMAR, PCAARRD FARMNEWS)