LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development and the University of the Philippines Visayas have partnered in developing an environment-friendly mussel culture system.
“The Pinoy longline culture system lessens sedimentation in the culture areas, unlike in the use of bamboo poles,” UP Visayas Professor and DoST-PCAARRD mussel Research and Development Program leader Dr. Carlos Baylon said in a press conference.
The council held its regular media conference for its researches in collaboration with other institutions at the DoST-PCAARRD Innovation and Technology Center here.
“In the long run, the traditional stake mussel culture method that uses bamboo poles will make coastal areas shallow due to accumulated sediments,” Baylon explained to about 30 journalists in the presscon.
The longline culture uses ropes, floaters, and mussel socks instead of bamboos.
“The Pinoy longline method is the modified and cost-effective version of the longline culture system by other countries for producing high-quality mussel,” the professor added.
Baylon said the system is suitable for deeper waters, is resilient and can withstand strong winds. “Unlike the stake method, it can be easily pulled to a sheltered place during typhoons,” he added.
The regular conduct of PCAARRD media conference is aimed at spreading the agency-funded science and technology researches to reach end-users.