By Jezza A. Nepomoceno

The Iloilo provincial government, in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Philippine Association of Crab Processors, Inc. (PACPI), and Saravia Blue Crab, Inc., will construct a P5 million crab hatchery at Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC) in Concepcion.

The structure will serve as a research and learning facility to provide on-the-job training for students, along with working to help conserve and restore the local blue crab, or kasag, population.

BFAR will provide technical assistance for its operation, assist in the sea ranching activities, reproduce and disseminate information, education and campaign materials., and conduct studies; PACPI will oversee and assist operations, particularly in the production; and Saravia Blue Crab will provide berried crabs, or female crab carrying egg clusters, and gravid crabs, or crabs that have yet to spawn./JAN, WDJ