TUGUEGARAO CITY – The fisheries Bureau here literally unearthed the Black Mussel (Mytilus charruana) in its move to reduce the prevalence of invasive species like the Black Mussel in the region’s rich fishing grounds through the Black Mussel Utilization Contest, an advocacy and information awareness activity in time for the 61st Fish Conservation Week Celebration on September 18, 2024.
The Pamplona National School of Fisheries emerged as winner for their non-food entry on feed formulation using Black mussel shells and meat designed as food for Freshwater Prawn (Ulang) and fish out from the six participating teams.
The Overload Black Mussel Pizza, an all-time favorite snack offering of the Cagayan State University- Aparri Campus bagged second place; and the third place was the mouthwatering Nutripacked BurgeBoom (burger patties), an entry of the Licerio Antiporda Sr. National High School -Main.
Consolation prizes were given to other participating schools namely: University of St, Louis-Tuguegarao (High School Department) with their entry Black Mussel Chips; Filtration system using pulverized Black Mussel shells of the Cagayan National High School; and the Ocean Breeze Sorbet, a dessert offering prepared by the Sta. Ana Fishery National High School.
The DA-BFAR 2 invited Dr. Esterlita Calanoga, a retired professor of the Cagayan State University-Aparri, Oliver Baccay, Assistant Regional Director of PIA RO2, Melegrina Turingan, Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist, DTI RO2, Marvin Cangcang of Bombo Radyo-Tuguegarao and Romeo Puyat, Science Research Specialist of DOST RO2.
In 2016, the proliferation of Black Mussel locally known as “Charu” coined from its scientific name in Pata/Numuac Brackishwater River in Sanchez Mira and Claveria was reported. Fishermen, claimed that the seemingly menacingly looking shellfish because of its deep black color has become a bane causing damages in their nets and cage frames making maintenance efforts more laborious as the black mussels cling tightly to anything they are attached to.
Dr. Evelyn Ame, head researcher, said that exploring other uses of the black mussel aside from food through this activity is one the initiatives that Bureau has pioneered basing from its previous undertaking using Janitor Fish, an invasive species of fish now proliferating in major river tributaries of the Cagayan River.
