ALL ABOUT PACPI AND ITS INTERVENTIONS

1. ALL ABOUT PACPI AND ITS INTERVENTIONS

2. The Philippine Association for Crab Processors, Inc.(PACPI) is a national organization that seeks to develop the common good and well-being of the blue crab industry in general; and the achievement of harmonious business relationship among its members in order to provide quality products to its domestic and foreign consumers.   • Registered with SEC on May 2009 • For realization of its objectives, it aims to work together with the Government and its agencies in the promotion of the blue crab processing industry; and as well as the development of projects that could help protect and enhance the natural supply of blue swimming crab in the Philippine waters. ABOUT US

3. Our members • Blue Star Food Products, Inc. • Heron Point, Inc. • Phillips SeafoodsPhillipines Corporation • Phil-Union Frozen Foods, Inc. • RGE AgriDev Corporation • Sigma International, Inc.

4. Consultation meetings with DA/ BFAR, World Bank, and US Crab Council • Consultation meetings with various fishermen to develop program for crab sustainability What’s been going on? (L-R; Finn Alfredson of World Bank, Steve Phillips of Phillips Seafood, Sari of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, Rob Garisson of Phillips Asia, Director DrusilaBayate of BFAR Region 6, Anthony Carlon of Phillips Philippines, Director Gil Adora of BFAR, Robert Eduardo of RGE)

5. What’s been going on? • Proposal for funding of the BSC Sustainability Project approved and funded by US-Based Allfish-National Fisheries Institute Crab Council • BFAR and PACPI collaboration, esp. on nursery and hatchery projects is sealed. Pilot testing has been conducted at the BFAR-GuiuanMarine Fisheries Development Center in Eastern Samar .

6. What’s been going on? • Pilot stations for berried crab holding cages were identified by PACPI members and these cages are already installed. To date, there are 26 operating areas around Visayas. • PACPI is currently looking into tapping the technical assistance of a scientist that could help refine the procedures in handling gravid crabs, larvae and juvenile. • Cage assembly and installation procedures as well as protocols for handling of gravid crabs were developed.

7. crab cages in Bohol, Philippines Black sponges are gone in 2 to 3 days Orange sponges are gone in 5 to 7 days

8. After 6 weeks crablets up to 2 and a half inches size are seen in the area

9. The biggest juvenile crab seen near the shore is around 6cm in diameter.

10. Proper management of berried crabs, fishing prohibition for immature crabs, and active participation of fisherfolks and other stakeholders will help alleviate BSC sustainability problems; and would provide fishermen and the entire BSC industry with additional income. A very modest estimate of only 2% of 2% of a million egg of a healthy berried female would easily translate to approximately PHP 140,800.00 income for each batch of 25 berried crabs, all other factors considered. Assumptions:  No. of berried crabs stocked in cages = 25  Survival of berried crabs in cages = 89%  berried crab = average of 1,000,000 eggs  Survival of eggs in the wild, up to larval stage = 2% = 440,000 juvenile crabs  % of surviving larvae that grows to maturity = 2% = 8,800 crabs  at 5 crabs per kilogram = 8,800/5 = 1,760 kilograms  Buying price per kilogram = P 80.00  Gross income = P140,800.00 PERCEIVED ECONOMIC Benefits of holding berried crabs in cages

11. Benefits of Crab ResEEDing Programs and Protecting Berried and Juvenile Crabs • Proper management of berried crabs, fishing prohibition for immature crabs, and active participation of fisherfolks and other stakeholders will help alleviate BSC sustainability problems and would provide fishermen and the entire BSC industry with additional income • This benefit was demonstrated in Korea. In 2004, Korea’s West Sea blue crab catch dropped to 2,700 MT. This prompted FSRP to target Blue Crab as a protected species. In 2006, it undertook immature blue crab releasing program and promoted various management measures for the West Sea region of Korea. In 2007, Blue Crab catch in the area has ballooned to 13,600 MT.

12. (together with BFAR and under the technical assistance of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership) • Identify the best methods to enhance the natural population by working with scientists; • improve hatchery capability to grow and release crabs at megalopa or larger stage in different areas at different times of the year. Reseeding Program

13. FIRST RESEEDING ACTIVITY Bagunbanwa Island Guiuan, Eastern Samar 31 May 2011

14. Hatchery production and reseeding program • Identify and protect areas with high concentration of egg bearing females and juvenile crabs • Educational programs for the fisher folks and their families • Administrative support for BFAR’s BSC stock assessment program Programs for Immediate Implementation

15. Protect Crab Nursery Area and Launch Educational Program (together withBFAR, SFP, Local Government Units and DepEd) 3 Pilot Areas

16. Provide support to BFAR’s blue swimming crab stock assessment Stock Assessment

17. Financial support to BFAR blue swimming crab hatchery Information and education campaigns Provide gravid crab holding cages through PACPI members present in areas where there are buying/cooking/picking stations WHAT WE CAN DO

18. Undefined minimum size limit for blue crabs gathered in the wild Absence of ordinances/laws that prohibit gathering of immature crabs/crablets in the wild Absence of support mechanisms that would prevent poaching of gravid crabs in holding cages IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES

19. Immediate formalization of the Blue Swimming Crab Management Plan Joint press release on the future implementation of a management plan Stronger partnership with BFAR and as well as Local Government Units Inclusion of Blue Swimming Crab as a defined species in stock assessment program. WHAT WE NEED