The DepartmentT of Agriculture (DA) is stepping up the production of blue crabs and abalone to commercial quantities this year and eventually export them overseas, where these marine products are in high demand at a high prices. In preparation for the commercial production of blue crab and abalone, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) had set up a seaweed farm in the mariculture park of Basey in Samar where the project would be pilot-tested. BFAR is also collaborating with the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) and nongovernment organizations in Northern Samar in a project meant to help small mudcrab catchers improve their income and ensure the sustainability of this fishery resource in four municipalities in the province. BFAR and the SEAFDEC-Aquaculture Department (AQD) has been helping these catchers to adopt mudcrab production technologies developed from studies funded by the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research. In partnership with SEAFDEC-AQD and the National Irrigation Administration, BFAR is also carrying out a freshwater aquaculture production program in Capiz to help improve the living conditions of marginal farmers in the municipality of Dumarao benefited by the implementation of Badbaran community irrigation project.

Abello, M. M. (2010, February 27). Crab and abalone production pushed. Manila Bulletin, p. B-5.