Aquaculture: Chapter 3

Our Baklad at Dawn (Mt Mayon on the background)

Last time I talked about aquaculture introduction here and our Baklad here.

I’m gonna share what has happened with our joint venture in baklad business.

Just a feedback, Aug. 7, I was at home doing my homework on Technical Indicators. News came to me that 85% of our Baklad has already been set-up. Bamboo poles were erected and nets have been laid out. Even though it was partial, it managed to have a good harvest and boy I was telling myself “This is it!”

I came back onsite, not excited to work and make oreblocks, but  very excited to see how the set-up looks like, what creatures can be caught and how much did we earn. We had a chance during a shift change Sunday to visit and observe the whole harvesting process.

In summary, our operator, which is the fisherman, goes offshore as early as 4am together with his assistants to pull out the net and get the harvest. The harvest is then placed in the boat and the net was positioned again inside the capturing pen. The crew paddles back onshore while local sellers wait on the beach front. The harvest is placed on a tarpaulin and sea creatures were sorted out.  Our operator does not sell the harvest rather residents try to get a hand and sell them to nearby houses and barangays. During dusk, vendors pay the amount of harvest that was on their possession. Half of the net sales are then handed over to our checker. The shares together with the list and receipt were kept and submitted to us every weekend.

The harvest by the way consists of various fishes and crustaceans. There were rabbitfish (danggit), shrimp, crab and my favourite squid. Other creatures were familiar but I haven’t memorized their names yet. Price range depends on the type of harvest and size. Since the source is near it is relatively cheaper compared to market price. It is as fresh as you can get.

Osteichthyes

My Favorite

We also had a share of problems encountered however we opt not to say anything but just listen, take note and let the business run as it is.

One positive thing about this venture is that it helps the community. I did not realize the effect until our checker told me that our Baklad is helping the community by giving the locals a source of income and a  daily food supply. However, I think our Baklad is operated through trust and culture that we did not bother to interfere with that kind of operation(refer to Lessons Learned #3) as long as we get our shares.

Lessons Learned:

1. Determine availability of baklad – there are times that the nets have to be cleaned and dried for maintenance, operational days should be determined for Return of Investment calculation
2. Do not expect – according to our operator “let us be happy and contented on what the Lord has given us”; this type of baklad relies on water current that may or may not have creatures on it
3. Share your blessings – I have seen that small fishes were not sold but given to other residents which they cook as part of their daily meal. Half of my brain asks "why not sell it?", and half says "oh just let them have it"… for charity
4. Be flexible and control emotions- harsh words and actions when dealing with a problem is not a solution, think about it

Cheers!