Update on Hatchery Operations in the Philippines

According to staff from the Southern Marine Corporation (SOMMACO) and the Hikari South Sea Pearl Corporation in Busuanga, in the Calamian Islands of Palawan, hatchery techniques for pearl oyster farming remain experimental in the Philippines. Several obstacles are hindering large-scale production of pearl oyster larvae.

Augustin Badon, Deputy Director of Hikari, points out that only 70% of the rearing processes are currently mastered, while the remaining 30% still rely more on “art.”

“The situation differs from that of tiger prawn farming, where protocols are well established and solutions are known. For pearl oysters, we must improvise when problems arise. If we could apply proven hatchery techniques, we could produce five to six times a year,” he explains. Currently, production only takes place twice a year.

Progress at SOMMACO

Malou Sanchez, consultant for SOMMACO, reports that survival rates have climbed to 90% since the start of pearl oyster culture. “There are only seven pearl farming companies here, and we are ready to pool our resources. However, the complexity and cost of the techniques mean that the larvae produced are mainly used internally,” she explains. SOMMACO is now aiming for genetically improved broodstock and lower production costs.

The facilities were specially designed to optimize operations: pumps, filtration systems, algae culture tanks, and nursery areas are centralized, reducing movement and exposure to the elements. “Thanks to this setup, we never need to leave the building, even during a typhoon,” notes consultant John Hamiter.

Challenges of Rearing

Redentor Diaz, a technician at Hikari’s hatchery, notes that vibrios — pathogenic bacteria — are a major threat to the spat, highlighting the importance of water filtration and disinfection. Sudden changes in salinity or temperature can also affect plankton distribution, the larvae’s source of nutrients. He also stresses the need to maintain healthy broodstock and monitor feed quality to prevent contamination.

Despite these efforts, the survival rate of the 500,000 oysters set on longlines does not exceed 20%, according to Augustin Badon. To reduce pressure on natural stocks, only 20% of broodstock are taken from the wild, with the rest coming from hatcheries.

A Sector That Divides Opinion

Pearl farming is also controversial in Busuanga. Local fishermen accuse pearl farms of depriving them of traditional fishing grounds and obstructing navigation, especially at night. Farms occupy between 10% and 15% of the marine area, according to Badon.

But the economic benefits are significant: “Pearl farms provide regular income to locals while preserving the ecosystem,” says Ms. Sanchez. The longlines act as fish aggregating devices and help limit the use of destructive fishing techniques such as blast fishing or cyanide fishing, which benefits biodiversity. Operators even hope that these illegal practices will soon be banned with the support of local authorities, who collect fees on marine concessions.