SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE

(CRAB) INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

IN SURIGAO DEL SUR
An introduction to a sustainable and highly productive mud crab farming system

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page
Table of Contents
Philippine Crab Aquaculture – RAS …………………………………………… 3
Introduction to Mud Crab Industry in the Philippines………………….. 5
Surigao del Sur Aquaculture Status, Problem and Prospects ………. 6
Overview on Recirculation Aquaculture System ………………………… 8

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PHILIPPINE CRAB AQUACULTURE – R.A.S

WHO WE ARE
A team of equipped and competent individuals with knowledge and experience in
agriculture, engineering and business dedicated to improve the aquaculture farming
industry in the Philippines through Recirculating Aquaculture System (R.A.S)

Our team went to Malaysia to visit an existing vertical crab farm incorporating the
R.A.S. to learn more about the system and innovations used by other farms in different
parts of the world. In this trip we were able to gather information about how we can
improve the farm that would fit perfectly on the Philippine market. We learned that
the Philippines has the best potential in achieving success in the crab farming business
using the R.A.S. we were also able to gain contacts with like-minded businessmen
who are always available to answer questions and share their knowledge to the team.
With the collected knowledge and experience, we are now excited to share the
business to the rest of the Philippines!

Moreover, the team and the crab business were already featured in various TV
programs including Unang Hirit and Eat Bulaga in GMA 7.

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PCA – RAS TEAM MEMBERS
Mr. Gerry Balingit, owner of a vertical crab farm with 15 years of experience in
exporting tons of crabs to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, etc.

Mr. Jeremiah Ramirez, an engineer by profession who helped with the system
innovation and adjustments.

Mr. Emmanuel Jucutan, experienced in logistics and marketing responsible for

marketing of the system and services offered by the company.

Mr. Robert Oflear, an experienced leader and business developer responsible for
designing business model

Mr. Robert Kristian Oflear II, a businessman responsible for marketing the
business and preparing modules for client seminars and trainings.

WHAT WE DO
We are passionate in the improvement and advancement of the aquaculture farming
industry in the country – specifically mud crab farming - into a sustainable and highly
productive one, by leveraging Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS).

PCA - RAS organizes training courses on crab culture for fish farmers providing
profitable business to all.

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INTRODUCTION

MUDCRAB INDUSTRY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Mud crab being considered as a minor aquatic product in the Philippines is now an
international exchange earner and export commodity providing income and livelihood
to many Filipinos. For a long time, it has been overlooked as a potential species for
culture. Due to lack of government attention to research and baseline studies to the
development of mud crab industry, the growth of the industry has been slow
compared with other exportable fish products like tuna and shrimps.

However, the attitude toward mud crab was converted because of the increase in
demand and price from both local and international markets that stimulated various
development studies for mud crab industry in the country.

More and more attention is now given to mudcrab aquaculture research and
development. Development of appropriate technologies is one of priorities of most
R&D institutions in the Philippines namely; SEAFDEC-AQD, UPV College of Fisheries,
BFAR-NFRDI, PSU

However, mass production of juveniles is still hampered by the low larval survival and
production of crablets in the hatchery.

MAIN PROBLEMS WITH AQUACULTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES

(Source: Freshwater Aquaculture: Status, Problems and Prospects in the Phil. | Author: Ravelina R. Velasco, Ph.D)

 Low production, high mortality due to extreme temperature conditions

 Depletion of freshwater sources to build aquaculture ponds – pollution of water
sources and improper resource management
 High cost of feeds
 Financing assistance

MARKETING CHANNELS
The trading pattern of the mud crab industry involves series of intermediaries between
the gatherer/ supplier and the consumer or the exporter. This network plays an
important role in the final pricing of the product; the greater the number of
intermediaries the higher the price of the crab.

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SURIGAO DEL SUR: AQUACULTURE STATUS,
PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS
SURIGAO DEL SUR: AQUACULTURE STATUS
Marine resources from Surigao del Sur come from a combination of coastal fishing
grounds, wetlands, inland fishponds. Marine and aquaculture is abundant in the
province, being the primary livelihood of the inhabitants as the province is known for
producing seafood and sea by-products (e.g. bangus, sugpo, alimango, etc.). Despite
of abundant aquaculture resources, Surigao del Sur is not listed among the leading
crab-producing provinces in the country. Excellent environmental conditions,
designated for aquaculture development, farming operations are sufficiently dispersed
and water currents are sufficient to carry organic wastes away from sensitive
mangrove ecosystems. (Source: https://www.winrock.org/promoting-sustainable-aquaculture-in-the-
philippines/) Surigao del Sur can produce up to 500,000 – 1M crablets in a month which
cost P10.00 - P20.00 per piece.

SURIGAO DEL SUR: AQUACULTURE PROBLEMS

 Poaching, smuggling and illegal trading of crab larvae and crablets
 Inadequate technical input insufficient training and limited technology of fish
farmers in crab farming and other related aquaculture activities
 Lack of research and baseline studies that could provide information helpful to
the development of aquaculture industry in the province

Other issues affecting mud crab industry were problems and constraints in crab
culture, post-harvest and marketing, technologies and best practices in crab
production, ecological imperatives for a sustainable mud crab industry, product
development and packaging of industry opportunities and perspective on the global
supply and demand of crabs.

The provincial government intends to provide solution to these problems especially

smuggling and illegal trading of crablets due to its ill effects on the local crab industry
and ecology, particularly the alarming depletion of the crab species in the province
which could jeopardize the livelihood of legitimate crab raisers.

SURIGAO DEL SUR: AQUACULTURE PROSPECTS

The provincial government of Surigao del Sur envisions:

 For Surigao del Sur to be the center of crablet culture and supply for grow-out
and fattening by fishpond operators.

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  To put a stop and address the smuggling out and illegal trading of crab larvae
and crablets in the province by setting up a center, laying down guidelines,
rules and regulations in gathering, standardizing of crab nursery operation,
culture of crab larvae into crablet sizes for local grow-out production and
marketing outside the province.
 The rehabilitation of fishponds to enhance aquaculture productivity and provide
land to enhance aquaculture productivity
 To partner with government and private organizations (e.g. BFAR, Phil.RAS,
etc.) to maximize development and ensure the sustainability of aquaculture
industry in the province and towards production of quality products

All the province needs is a the participation of all stakeholders including private sector
in the provincial government efforts to maximize the development of the industry
towards the production of more export – quality products.

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OVERVIEW:
RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEM (R.A.S.)
DEFINITION

Recirculation Aquaculture System is an aquaculture production system that

recycles and renovates water for the culture of an aquatic organism. The technology
is based on the use of mechanical and biological filters and the method can in principle
be used for any species grown in aquaculture such as fish, shrimps, crabs, clams, etc.

Image 1: Vertical Crab Farming using the Recirculating Aquculture System (R.A.S.)

“The goal of the recirculation system is to produce more fish using less
water and have more control over production.”

SYSTEM USAGE

Recirculating Aquaculture System is commonly used for the following aquaculture

activities:

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  Hatchery
 Nursery
 Quarantine
 Fingerling Production
 Purging Market sized product
 On-growing system
 Near market size holding system

For the crab business:

 Purging Market sized product
 Near market size holding system
 Crab Fattening

R.A.S. DESIGN CRITERIA

Remove
Solid
Waste
Convert
NH3-
Bacteria
>NO2-
>NO3
RAS
Design
Criteria
Add Remove
Oxygen CO2

Maintain
Alkalinity
/Ph

General Design Criteria

Design Criteria for Crabs Farming

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HOW R.A.S. WORKS

Unit Processes: Assembling Each Components

Image 3: Crab
Condominium

Crab condominium
provide separate
aquaculture box for
each crab, equipped
with exhausting water
system and increasing
oxygen into water
function.
It prevents crabs from
killing and eating each
other so that it can
reduce mortality rate
and increase production

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 Unit Processes: Simplified Diagram

SYSTEM ADVANTAGES

Seen from environmental point of view, the limited amount of water used in
recirculation is of course beneficial as water has become a limited resource. The limited
use of water makes it much easier and cheaper to remove the nutrients excreted from
the fish as the volume of discharged water is much lower than that discharged from
a traditional fish farm.

Traditional fish farming is totally dependent on external conditions such as the water
temperature, cleanliness of water, oxygen level, etc. In a recirculated system, these
external factors are eliminated either completely or partly depending on the degree of
recirculation and construction of plant.

Recirculation enable fish farmers to completely control all the parameters in the
production, and the skills of the farmer to operate the recirculation system itself
becomes just as important as his ability to take care of the fish. Controlling parameters
such as water temperature, oxygen levels or daylight gives stable and optimal
condition for the fish – less stress and better growth. These stable conditions result in
a steady and foreseeable growth pattern that enable the farmer to precisely predict
when the fish will have reached a certain stage or size. These favors the overall
management of the farm and strengthens the ability to market the fish product in a
competitive way.

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Another aspect to be mentioned is that of disease. The system increased biosecurity
by lowering pathogens impact as invasive diseases from outside environment are
minimized by the limited use of water.

SYSTEM DISADVANTAGES

The recirculation system is not perfect and also have disadvantages viz:

 High upfront investment in materials and infrastructure

 High operating cost mostly due to electricity and system maintenance
 Short response time
 A need for highly trained staff to monitor and operate the system

Aquaculture requires knowledge, good husbandry, persistence and sometimes nerves

of steel. Shifting from traditional fish farming into recirculation does make many things
easier, however at the same time it requires new and greater skills. To be successful
in this quite advanced type of aquaculture calls for training and education.

SYSTEM BENEFITS TO SURIGAO DEL SUR PROVINCE

 Advancement of aquaculture technology in Surigao del Sur ensuring

sustainability of aquaculture products specifically crabs, prawns and milkfish
 Fish farmers will be equipped with advance trainings and technical input to
improve aquaculture production in the province
 Create employment and business opportunities for people in Surigao del Sur
 Opportunity to export and meet increasing demand for aquaculture products in
international market
 Create avenue for additional revenue in the province

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