 expounds on the Pinoy Longline innovation on growing mussels at the media forum_5abb74122ecbc9_71277365.png)
INNOVATION. Dr. Carlos C. Baylon (seated right) expounds on the Pinoy Longline innovation on growing mussels at the media forum panel with Dr. Nathaniel C. Bantayan (seated left) and Dr. Mary Beth B. Maningas (center), an event under the auspices of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) at its compound in Los Banos, Laguna on March 26, 2018. (Photo by Zen Trinidad/PNA)
LOS BAÑOS, Laguna- A Filipino scientist has developed an innovative and sustainable way of growing mussels, locally known as “tahong,” through funding from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Dr. Carlos C. Baylon, professor from the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) and program leader of DOST-PCAARRD Mussel Research and Development, revealed the “Pinoy Longline” method of growing mussels during Monday’s media forum at the DOST-PCAARRD conference hall here.
“Pinoy Longline is a climate-resilient method, sustainable and economically viable alternative to the stake method,” Baylon said, emphasizing that this is a modified and cheaper version of the longline culture system used by New Zealand for producing high-quality mussel.
He said that the method is suitable for deeper waters and may be used to replace the stake method, which causes sedimentation in coastal areas. It would also save on cost as bamboo poles may be priced high, especially in non-bamboo producing areas.
The longline method comprised a 50-meter main line made of a 20 mm polypropylene rope with empty plastic containers (40 cm x 35 cm x19 cm) attachments, made of discarded materials used for transporting cooking oil or soy sauce, as floaters.
On both ends of the line, two plastic containers (91 cm x 37 cm) covered with polyethylene rope are used. Anchors, approximately 152 cm x 127 cm x 102 cm, are placed on both sides to maintain the longline.
For stocking, mussel socks (mussocks) made of 2-m long and 10-mm thick polyethylene rope with cylindrical cement weighing 1 kilogram at the bottom are used. The mussel socks are tied to the longline at an interval of 50 cm.
Mussel spats (2-3 cm) are placed inside the mussel socks at 200 pieces/m of each sock.
Baylon showed the economic indicator based on the assumption that 50 percent has survived of the 200 mussels per sock . The mussels, weighing 35 grams each, could fetch a price of PHP 30 per kilogram.
For a total harvest of 350 kilograms per year, the yield will bring in a revenue of some PHP 105,000 - less the variable cost of PHP 18,350 for labor for safeguarding, labor for stocking every six months, repair every six months, fuel and miscellaneous and a fixed cost of PHP 19, 368 or a total expense of PHP37,718. It would leave a mussel grower a net profit of around PHP 67, 282 per longline per year.
He said in Cavite province, there are currently 13 farmers using a total of 174 longlines, a farmer in Capiz has eight longlines, and another one in Samar has six longlines.
Baylon said the “Pinoy longline” can easily be pulled to a sheltered place during extreme weather conditions to prevent damages to the mussels and the structure.
During downpour that decreases the salinity on the upper layer of water, the structure can simply be submerged to a level, where there is optimal salinity, by filling the floaters with sea water. This, he said, will lessen the impact of heavy rainfall. (PNA)
