Aquasilviculture trials in mangroves in Aklan province, Panay Island, central Philippines

Abstract

To integrate production of crabs and shrimp with mangrove conservation, the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department initiated studies on Mangrove-Friendly Aquaculture (MFA). Culture pens and ponds in old growth and newly regenerating mangrove sites in Aklan, central Philippines were stocked with mudcrab <i>Scylla olivacea/S</i>. <i>tranquebarica</i>. Investments costs, survival and production, and cost-return analysis for mudcrab culture in pens and ponds are reported in the paper.

Aside from the aquasilviculture trials in collaboration with local government units, other activities in the Aklan mangrove sites are the survey and mapping of the 75-ha area in Ibajay, construction of a treehouse, and the educational use as field site by Coastal Resources Management trainees (of SEAFDEC-AQD) and field biology students (of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas).