The Iloilo Provincial Government launched its hatchery for blue swimming crab, locally known as “kasag,” aimed at reviving the production of the species in Concepcion town.

Provincial Agriculturist Ildefonso Toledo said the construction of the hatchery started in 2018, with former Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. taking interest in the initiative to help fisherfolk in the crab industry.

“That will be the contribution of the provincial government in bringing the blue swimming crab industry back to its feet,” Toledo said in his message during the inauguration.

The former governor allotted P5 million for the construction, which halted during the health pandemic.

After the pandemic, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. allotted an additional budget to complete the project, including the fence, security area, tanks, and other facilities and equipment.

“Perhaps this will be the jumpstart of the full operation of the blue swimming crab hatchery. Hopefully, with this, we will be able to reseed our marine protected areas that would be the potential source of stocks needed by our fisherfolk and crabbers,” Toledo said.

He appealed to fisherfolk to rationalize the harvest and refrain from getting berried crabs to sustain their livelihood.

Since the facility is inside the Concepcion campus of the Northern Iloilo State University, its students can learn skills and techniques on hatching the species, Toledo said.

Defensor, in his message, said the project will be part of the overall management and preservation of the Visayan Sea as he looked forward to the day when they will be dispersing their products.

“This is a very important part. I want this to be the start of many more initiatives to come. To add concretely to the health of the Visayan Sea,” he said.

Concepcion Mayor Millard Villanueva said the hatchery is a milestone for their fishery sector because it could help restore crab production in their municipality.

“Concepcion is considered as one of the producers of blue crab in the entire Philippines,” he said, adding that fishers’ catch has already dwindled.Perla Lena/PNA

Photo by Dr. Raul Banias