The Philippines crab industry

The blue swimming crabs (kasag, alimasag, Portunus pelagicus) is the fourth top export fisheries product of the Philippines. From BFAR’s latest statistics (Year 2009) the recorded revenue was about 39.171 Thousands US Dollar (1.8 Billion Philippine Pesos) from a quantity of 4,357 tons of crab (live/fresh/frozen/chilled), crab meat and crab fats. At present there are eight major exporters of crab meat based in the country and most of their produced are going to the USA. The values and number of exporters presently competing really indicates how important this resources are to the country’s economy. Yet… Assessments of the blue swimming crab condition in the waters are indicating so much pressure to the available stock capital. As early as in the late 1990’s, Ingles and Flores (2000) have been reporting significant decreased in the CPUE (catch per unit effort) of crabbers. Recent interviews of crabbers is even showing more dire situation. In one of my travels to Guiuan last May of this year 2011, a crabber who set his 5-kilometer net in a day catch only 3 pcs of small crabs while his kumpare catch nothing at all. Why?... Fifty percent (50%) of the Female blue swimming crabs in the Philippine’ waters could only start to bear eggs and produce baby crabs when they grow at a carapace width of 10.5-centimeters while the 50% Male blue swimming crabs matures at 9.65-cm only. The other 50% could mature earlier or even later than the sizes mentioned. Since it is only the female crabs that lay eggs and produce baby crabs it is therefore more practical to at least let the female blue swimming crabs lay their first babies first before catching them. This way we could help ensure that the supply of blue swimming crabs will not diminish. Yet… We are catching large percentage of the immature crabs, the mature crabs and even the egg-bearing crabs. The figure only shows we are withdrawing not just the interest of the capital but also the capital that is why the supply of crabs from the waters is decreasing. Is there a solution?... Thumbs up to BFAR, they are now on the process of adopting the Philippine BSC Management Plan. Within the Plan, there are various actions identified: • A 10-cm carapace width minimum legal size of landed and traded crabs, • Reduction of fishing effort through minimum length of gillnet and number of units of traps/pots • Encouragement on the use of environment friendly crabbing gears like bamboo traps and pots over the waste-producer and ghostfishing gillnets and pvc-made pots and traps. • Possible closure of fishing ground or fishing season • Regular scientific studies (stock assessment, monitoring, research and developments, etc.). Yet… it is now two year since the process was started and the official adoption is still not being heard of. The sad thing is, there are organizations lobbying for the reduction of the 10-cm minimum legal size agreed upon during the consultations. The 10-cm is the perfect starting point (consensus between the crabbers and the scientist) to start saving the crabs resources. A minimum legal below the 10-cm defies the purpose of the management plan and all the efforts trying to ensure the long lasting supply of crabs in the country. For more info, please contact: Jimely Flores Email: Jimely.flores@sustainablefish.org Sustainable fisheries Partnership http://www.sustainablefish.org; http://www.fishsource.org

sustainable packaging applied in the Philippines

Sustainable Packaging: its application in the Philippines Because of very high consumption rate demanded by the ever increasing population even for the developing world like the Philippines, savings are not just demanded in the use of the products and resources but also in packaging those products. The throw-away society that characterizes the Philippines in the past four decades as a distorted part of the so-called urbanization and industrialization developments is starting to shift. The tipping point of change has been reached; sustainable packaging is starting to be followed albeit slow when compared to the movement in the developed world. Cellophane bags which had been freely given out in all the stores (big or small) are starting to be changed into recyclable grocery bags. Food and beverage stores are going into environment-friendly containers and bringing your own cup/container is being encouraged. Instead of the cheap plastic products, people are encouraged to go into natural-sourced packaging products that are biodegradable and/or recyclable like papers, ceramics, bottle and others. The Health and Wellness Bazaar is one of those small stores which marketing practices embodied the real essence of sustainable packaging. 1. You can buy our dishwashing soap and fabric conditioner using your refillable dishwashing containers. This is of course cheaper because the cost of the bottle/container is already out of the cost of the product. These products are also formulated from materials which are friendly to the environment and to all living organisms. 2. We are shifting to reusable cotton bags instead of the wasteful plastic bags. The bags are not given free but the cost is minimal and using the bag will earn the clients’ points which could be used to purchase our products. 3. We as much as possible promote local natural products which entire supply chain encourages sustainable practices and low carbon and water footprint. For more information please contact our store: Health and Wellness Bazaar Lingsat, San Fernando, La Union Mobile: 09064300704

Bath soap

Just finished making bath soap made from olive oil and fresh milk and enhanced with lavender essential oil. This soap is very good for the skin as it was made with the best natural ingredients with none of the harsh ingredients that usually destroys the skin, other living things and the environment. It will be available for sale next month.

Effects of Volcanic ashes in the blue swimming crabs of Sorsogon Bay, Philippines

Effects of Volcanic ashes in the blue swimming crabs of Sorsogon Bay, Philippines Author: Jimely O. Flores 28 February 2011 Blue swimming crab are scientifically known as Portunus pelagicus or locally known in the languages of the Philippines as kasag, alimasag, masag, kappi, etc. Continuous volcanic ash fall in Sorsogon Bay which is one of the fishing grounds for the blue swimming crabs is relatively unknown at present as there are no studies measuring the impacts. However, assumptions could be made basing on the biology of the organisms, the condition of the habitat and the oceanographic features and processes in that particular body of water, and the characteristics of the volcanic ashes. Volcanic ashes are inherently acidic and when dissolved in waters result into the decreased of ph of the water concerns. It also increases turbidity as well as addition of other chemical components which may or may not affect the organisms. Sorsogon Bay is the smallest body of water immediately within the vicinity of the Bulusan Volcano spewing ashes at the present. It is a shallow bay and relatively enclosed with an area of about 22,000 hectares, with its narrow channel opening into the inland seas near the Islands of Ticao and Burias Islands. Continuous high volume of volcanic ashes falling into the Bay may temporarily affect the physical and chemical water characteristic especially in the coastal areas especially at slack waters, rendering the waters more acidic and turbid. The blue swimming crabs life cycle starts from being an egg attached in the mother’s abdomen. Most of the mother crabs are benthic preferring sandy bottoms in deeper marine waters. When the eggs are released from the females they became part of the organisms drifting with the surface and sub-surface currents (planktons) while undergoing different metamorphic stages for as long as 15 days until they grow and become crab instars and are ready to start a benthic life (living near or at the bottom of the sea). Being planktons, the survival and developments of the eggs and larvae of the blue swimming crabs, may be affected by the lowered pH, turbidity and the other chemicals (from the volcanic ashes) dissolving into the waters. This is especially true as the organisms are calcium carbonate builders (their shell). When the larvae have metamorphosed into crab instars and start living as part of the benthic ecosystems, they are found to be quite abundant in seagrass and seaweeds areas maybe because of the abundant protection and food these kinds of habitats offer. However, these habitats are also prone to the higher incidence of volcanic ash accumulation as compared to the open waters where circulation maybe faster and constant. This stage of the crab lifecycle may also be said to be relatively vulnerable to the volcanic ash falls. While the blue swimming crabs grow and mature, the blue swimming crabs undergo passive migration into the deeper waters and thus lesser prone to the impact of volcanic ashes. In general, there is a probability that the blue swimming crabs may be directly negatively impacted by the ash falls of the Bulusan Volcano but the impact might not be immediately felt. If the impact had significantly reduced the development and survival of the affected blue swimming crabs’ eggs, larvae and juveniles, then it could be expected that the next batch of individuals expected to enter the fisheries in the future harvest seasons may be reduced. There could also be indirect impacts of the volcanic ash falls by affecting negatively the development and survival of the other organisms and the habitat, the blue swimming crabs may in the long term be also affected.

Green Dishwashing Detergent at Health and Wellness Bazaar

green your dishwashing activities through using eco and user friendly dishwashing detergent... it could be bought from the health and wellness bazaar at Lingsat, San Fernando, La union, Philippines... Since we are also promoting the reduction and reducing of waste... We appreciate if you could bring your dishwashing detergent containers to earn discount points... See you!

Green Dishwashing Detergent at Health and Wellness Bazaar

Health and wellness bazaar just finished preparing dishwashing detergent which is eco-friendly and user friendly... it could be bought from the health and wellness bazaar at Lingsat, San Fernando, La union, Philippines... Since we are also promoting the reduction and reducing of waste... We appreciate if you could bring your dishwashing detergent containers to earn discount points... See you

How to Celebrate a Green Valentine

February 14, 2011 is fast approaching... Lovers and hopefuls are in frantic search of possible great and unforgettable adventures or experiences Either with their love ones, friends, families or with themselves Whatever or whoever would that be Always remember to enjoy and leave healthy footprints. Some ways we could celebrate a green valentines are: 1. Give real flowers not those made from plastic or fabric :) 2. Alternative to real expensive flowers are plants... plants may come in different types and sizes on a wide price ranges that could fit anyone's budget. 3. Give hand crafted gifts to show they are worth the time, money and effort spent, find these items at Health and Wellness Bazaar, Lingsat, San Fernando City, La Union. 4. Give gifts that are worthwhile such as books, eco-friendly home items, eco-friendly and healthy personal items, etc. Wide ranges of such good products are found in the Health and Wellness Bazaar, Lingsat, San Fernandon, La Union. 5. And the most meaningful of all... Give LOVE, TIME HUGS AND SMILE...