Published on Visayan Daily Star Bacolod
Thursday, October 26, 2017
By Gilbert Bayoran

The blue crabs industry of EB Magalona in Negros Occidental keeps thriving, with the bulk of the crab meat exported to the United States.

Since it is off season for getting crabs from Indonesia and neighboring Asean countries, Ronald Villanueva, owner of the Kyle Seafoods Venture, one of the six crab meat processing plants in EB Magalona, said yesterday that there is a greater demand for crab meat now.

In Negros Occidental alone, about 12 tons of crab meat are produced daily, Villanueva, who is   also the secretary of the Negros Occidental Crab Meat Producers Association Inc., said.

Because of its demand and the present exchange rate of Philippine peso to US dollars, Villanueva said the price of crab meat being exported, is now about P1,400 per kilo, compared to P800 to P900 per kilo previously.

During its peak season from May to December, about four to five tons of blue crabs are harvested daily in the coastal areas of EB Magalona alone, and one to three tons during the off-season, Mayor Marvin Malacon said.

Malacon said almost all residents in the town's seven coastal barangays of EB Magalona rely on blue crabs as a major source of livelihood, on top of 300 families being employed in crab meat processing plants.

From the catchers, the blue crabs are brought to the six processing plants in EB Magalona, where their meat is picked out and packed for canning in Manapla, Bacolod, and in Cebu, for export.

To prevent depletion of crabs, Malacon said they are prohibiting the taking of gravid crabs, locally known as “bukakahan” and crablets, while the Bantay Dagat personnel are on 24-hour patrol of the coastal areas of EB Magalona to prevent illegal fishing.

Malacon added that he is coordinating with the departments of Tourism, and Trade and Industry on how to further enhance the tourism aspect of the blue crabs industry, and, at the same time, get more markets in international communities.

Jojo Vargas, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources officer of EB Magalona, said yesterday that residents in the town's upland barangays are also being tapped by the municipal government to make “panggal” or crab pots, which are also being used in catching blue crabs, to augment their income.

Blue crabs in EB Magalona have been observed to be tastier, compared to those from other coastal towns and cities of Negros Occidental.

The famous blue crabs of EB Magalona are expected to get a boost, as they will be featured in the Pinas Sarap program of news anchorwoman Kara David at 10 p.m. on Nov. 16 to be aired at GMA 7.

One of the highlights of the EB Magalona Ugyonan Seafood Festival, that started December last year, is also the promotion of blue crab products, that got the interest of David to feature it in her weekly television program, Vargas said.*GPB