Sea ranching of abalone launched in Nogas Island

More than 5000 abalone (Haliotis asinia) juveniles were seeded into the Nogas Island Marine Sanctuary last July 24. This is part of an experimental sea-ranching activity jointly undertaken by the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) and the Municipal Government of Anini-y, Antique where the sanctuary is located. Abalone is locally known as lapas or sobra-sobra in Hiligaynon.

Mr. Armando Fermin, project leader of SEAFDEC’s Integrated Mollusk Program, Dr. Hiroshi Ogata, SEAFDEC’s deputy chief, Municipal Mayor Reynaldo Pollicar, Vice Mayor Amado Rubite, and SB Members Jonathan Diana and Magdalena Cazeñas led the ceremonial releasing of abalone juveniles. It was the first time SEAFDEC released abalone into the wild for sea ranching.

The abalone could be partially harvested after about 9 or 10 months. The rest will hopefully become the parents of a healthy abalone population which will thrive in the area for generations to come. “Go forth and multiply,” Mr. Fermin said to the abalone as they settled among the corals.

After the release, a memorandum of agreement was signed between the Municipality of Anini-y and SEAFDEC. While SEAFDEC is responsible for stocking and an information campaign about the benefits of abalone ranching, the local government of Anini-y and their Municipal Fisheries for Aquatic Resource Management Council Systems (MFARMCs) will provide assistance to SEAFDEC personnel and protection to the seeded abalone.

“Today is another milestone in the history of our town,” said Vice Mayor Rubite during the MOA signing. The abalone seeding “could help our fisherfolk generate income which should mean economic progress in our municipality.” In addition, Dr. Ogata revealed that if large enough, abalone in Japan could cost from P1000 to P1500 per piece.

SEAFDEC divers and scientists continued to monitor the abalone for two more days after their stocking. According to Dr. Josefa Tan-Fermin, SEAFDEC also plans to stock abalone in the Sagay Marine Reserve and at Malalison Island in Northern Antique. She also added that while SEAFDEC may have the technical and financial resources to launch a reseeding and sea-ranching program such as this, it is more difficult to organize and educate people about sustainable aquaculture. The cooperation of the community is vital to the success of the project.