Green mussel is an important and inexpensive source of protein especially for people residing in coastal areas. Although requiring minimal capital, increase in production hasn’t been realized for the past 10 years.
To address this, Dr. Carlos Baylon and Ms. Armi May Guzman of the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas and Dr. Gay Jane Perez of UP Diliman initiated a project to apply geospatial technologies that can identify suitable sites for mussel culture.
The advent of recent geospatial technologies such as GIS and remote sensing can provide quick and reliable information that can be displayed visually for better management of aquaculture areas. It can also identify sites where both hydrographic and biophysical conditions favor mussel growth in the country.
Geospatial technology can help in expanding mussel culture, which in turn, can help increase mussel production. Increasing areas of mussel culture can help address issues such as food security, livelihood, and poverty alleviation.
The technology provides monthly data on the chlorophyll-a, sea surface, temperature, and salinity in the area. Moreover, GIS-based maps based on physico-chemical and biological parameters will be generated. All these data will be available in an interactive web-based mussel suitability map.
The technology can help private investors in the area; fisherfolk who will culture mussel to supplement their livelihood; BFAR Extension personnel; non-government units; local government units; and educators or researchers.
The geospatial technology project is implemented under the Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) for mussel of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
The technology can be viewed during the National Science and Technology Week 2018 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City on July 17-21, 2018. For more information on PCAARRD and the NSTW, visit PCAARRD’s website at www.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph.