Philippine E-Journals

Potential Sites of Expanding Green mussel, Perna viridis Farming in Cagayan Waters, Philippines

Eunice A. Layugan | Marlon S Alejos | Lorebelle E Pidoy | John Philip B Tabasin

 

Abstract:

Products from mussel are generally considered “high-value,” and unfulfilled demand in the domestics and international markets exists for this species. However, mussel produce in the Philippines is sometimes not safe for human consumption. The conduct of this study is to evaluate large bodies of waters with huge potentials for culturing safe and high-value mussels. Four coastal towns referred to as station were assessed: Aparri, Buguey, Gonzaga, and Santa Ana Cagayan. Stations were monitored in- situ for physicochemical parameters using HI 9828 Hannah Multiparameter. Water sample of one liter per site was sent to the Department of Science and Technology Regional Testing Laboratory, Tuguegarao City for microbiological, heavy metal and total suspended solids analysis for one year period. A physicochemical recording was encoded using Microsoft Excel, and data analysis were done using SPSS v 20. Ten sites are moderately capable and suitable for mussel farming (based on modified assessment table of Soon & Ransangan (2014): (1) six in Aparri Cagayan River Estuary, (2) one in Caroan Gonzaga, (3) one in Buguey, (4) two in Sta. Ana. Lead, Cadmium and Iron concentration were less than (< 80 mg/l total suspended solids and > 8.0 total coliform count. Water parameters fluctuate heavily on ACRE unlike minimal fluctuations on other three stations. Mussel culture in Cagayan is feasible with weather considerations.