Gastronomic and Economic: Western Visayas Taks Sustainable Strides in Kasag Industry
| by Jerian Figueroa
| December 19, 2023
DA Underscretary for Fisheries, Drusila Esther E. Bayate and DA-BFAR 6 Regional Director, Remia A. Aparri, together with BSC industry stakeholders, posed for a picture on the launching of Sustainable Seafood Friday at the Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo
To establish a holistic value chain and ensure the sustainability of the Blue Swimming Crab (BSC), locally known as kasag, industry in Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 11, the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Office VI (DA-BFAR 6), in collaboration with partner agencies, private enterprises, and people’s organizations, officially launched the Sustainable Seafood Friday Fiesta at the Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo. The event, held on December 15, 2023, in Iloilo City, showcased the fresh kasag from Brgy. Igbon, Concepcion, Iloilo.
DA Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther E. Bayate graced the event, expressing that this achievement is not new but a result of years of research, careful planning, and implementation.
“We no longer need to express support because this has been our advocacy,” USec. Bayate stated. “I congratulate all the committed parties that made this initiative a success and hope that each one will sustain this effort,” she added.
Blue Swimming Crabs as showcased during the Sustainable Seafood Friday Buffet
Before the sustainable seafood buffet, key players in the BSC industry held a meeting to update everyone on the local and global performance of this high-value commodity. This was followed by the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the partner agencies and organizations, signifying their commitment to raising the rating of BSC from the current “Avoid/Red” to at least “Good Alternative/Yellow” in the evaluation of the Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA) Seafood Watch Program.
During the signing, DA-BFAR 6 Regional Director and BSC Technical Working Group Chairperson, Remia A. Aparri, shared that this MOU will ensure collaboration, exchange of ideas, and the development of strategies that will have a lasting impact on the future of the BSC industry.
“After this signing, we look forward to a Masanag nga Buas-damlag sang Igbon, Concepcion,” she exclaimed.
Among the attendees were representatives from the MBA Seafood Watch Program, USAID Fish Right Program, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), Northern Iloilo State University (NISU), Saravia Blue Crab, Philippine Association of Crab Processors, Inc. (PACPI), and Wilmer P. Ortiz (WPO) Crab Meat Picking Services.
Additionally, representatives from DA Western Visayas, DA-BFAR Central and Regional Offices, Provincial Fisheries Offices of Capiz, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental, Provincial Government of Iloilo and Negros Occidental, Local Government Unit of Concepcion, Iloilo, and Brgy. Igbon Kasagan Association (BIGKAS) participated in the celebration.
The Sustainable Seafood Fiesta is set to become a weekly culinary event at the Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo, providing a unique and sustainable dining experience. This initiative contributes to the broader goal of establishing a public, private, and community partnership aimed at ensuring the long-term viability of this commodity in Western Visayas.