To boost the mussel industry and provide livelihood opportunities to mussel farmers in Iloilo, a training titled, “Mussel Depuration: Business Enterprise Opportunity in the Community” was held.
The training was organized by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV). It was held on October 15-17, 2019 at the Institute of Fish Processing Technology, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (IFPT-CFOS) of UPV in Miagao, Iloilo.
Organized by the Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division (IARRD) in coordination with the Institution Development Division (IDD) of DOST-PCAARRD, the acitivity aimed to train the participants on the operations in mussel depuration and the use of the circulating depuration facility. It also aimed to increase awareness of mussel processors, operators, prospective entrepreneurs, and extension workers on the importance of depuration.
Dr. Ernestina M. Peralta and Asst. Prof. Loda M. Nacional of IFPT-CFOS of UPV discussed the production, postharvest, and market of the Philippine Green Mussel. They also provided an introduction to food safety and quality of mussel and mussel products.
Meanwhile, Ms. Rose T. Mueda of IFPT-CFOS of UPV presented harvesting and handling of mussel for depuration; process and types of depuration facilities; and establishing a depuration facility as a business enterprise.
Participants were given hands-on training and workshop on depuration processing, microbiological protocols in the examination of shellfish growing, determination of physico-chemical parameters of seawater during depuration, and sensory evaluation of fresh and depurated mussel.
Plans to adopt the technology in the respective regions of the participants were discussed.
The 30 participants were composed of extension workers, processors, private practitioners, stakeholders, researchers, and technical staff from different State Universities and Colleges, government agencies, and the private sector.