BFAR Eyes Blue Mussels Propagation in Dagupan City

Dagupan City (PNA)– The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is looking into the possibility of propagating blue mussels commercially, following its discovery along the inland river of Sitio Tocok in Barangay Lucao.

The bureau’s National Integrated Fisheries Technology and Development Center (NIFTDC) said it wanted to develop and expand the culture of the aquatic creatures’ population.

“If that happens, this will mean another livelihood source for our people as our City will be the only source of blue mussels in the Philippines,” said Dr. Westly Rosario, NIFTDC chief.

Rosario admitted he was the first person in the entire Southeast Asia to report the existence of blue mussels in a tropical area. It is because these creatures are endemic inin temperate regions.

According to the website ‘animaldiversity.org’, blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) are found in the coastal areas of the northern Atlantic Ocean, including North America, Europe, and the northern Palearctic as well as in Russia, southern France, British Isles, Wash, Morecambe Bay, Conway Bay and southwest England, north Wales, and west Scotland.

However, American fish scientist Dr. Michael Rice, has confirmed that the samples were indeed blue mussels.

At present, the BFAR is waiting for the results of the examination undertaken on tissue samples of collected blue mussels which were brought to the United States for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis and profiling.

On one hand, the NIFTDC is now undergoing analysis and profiling of the area where the blue mussels were discovered.

“Through GPS (global positioning system), we are trying to know the blue mussels’ extent of distribution in Dagupan,” said Rosario.

Prior to this, the country has only two types of mussels: the brown and the green-lipped.

Brown mussels, which are very small in size, have no economic value and are usually being fed to crabs and ducks. Green-lipped, on the other hand, are the ones being sold in markets.

Unlike the green-lipped mussel which has pearl white color in the internal of its shell, blue mussels, said Rosario, is in pearl black color.

He also said that blue mussel is an expensive seafood in countries where these can be found.

Previous reports said blue mussels are sold in the city at Php50-60.00 per kilogram. (PNA) RMA/BNB/LVM/JOHANNE MARGARETTE R. MACOB/1300/RMA