Abalone, an edible mollusk lined with mother-of-pearl, could flourish in Mindanao due to its warm seas and could potentially become its high-value aquaculture product. Vincent Encena II, specialist of Iloilo-based Southeast Asia Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC-AQD), said Mindanao could cultivate abalone due to favorable sites, weather and availability of seaweeds. He identified Misamis Oriental, Surigao del Sur and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), particularly Tawi-tawi and the Sulu group of islands, where tropical abalone wild stocks may be found and are potential areas for prospective abalone farms.

Basa, M. M. (2010, May 28). Mindanao potential top abalone producer. Manila Bulletin, p. 15.