The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) is supporting the oyster industry to address poor oyster quality, increase production, and attain its full potential. This is being done through the Oyster Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) of the Council.
The program is promoting the use of raft and long line culture methods for mass production of oysters. These types of culture methods are sustainable and environment-friendly compared with the traditional stake method, which causes pollution and sedimentation. The raft and long line culture methods can produce oysters with harvestable weights of 75-90 grams seven months after transplanting oyster spats.
The raft method employs floating bamboo rafts where oysters grow on lines hanging from the raft. For the long line method, lines of oysters are hung in posts anchored underwater.
To produce bigger oysters, the program recommends the use of the pouch and tray methods, which are designed to grow single oysters. The technology produces oysters with almost uniform weight, good meat quality, and have a survival rate of 96-99% after seven months of culture. It is also ideal for the high-end market such as five-star hotels and restaurants.
The program aims to establish the sanitary quality standards for oysters following the European Union (EU) standards. These quality standards cover the culture environments based on bacterial quantity and composition in the water, physio-chemical quality of the water and sediment, heavy metals, and pesticide residues in the oyster’s flesh. This will ensure that oysters produced meet the export quality standards required by importing countries.
The technology on producing oysters, along with the Council’s leading R&D initiatives in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sectors, will be showcased during the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) on July 25-29 at the Council’s complex. This year’s NSTW adopts the theme, Juan Science, One Nation.
The Council will also celebrate its fifth anniversary on July 28, 2016. This will highlight the National Symposium on Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD) on July 27, 2016 with the awarding of papers in the afternoon of the said date. The NSAARRD showcases the most outstanding contributions of individuals and institutions in improving the state of the AANR sectors through research and development.