SOCIAL INNOVATION

Hi, my name is Mary Grace Silverio and I am the founder of Tambanokano Aqua Farm. Our mantra is Creating Eco-friendly Habitat for Mud Crabs for Sustainable Livelihood for Fisher folks. We envision creating a sustainable future for coastal communities by revolutionizing the aquaculture industry with our innovative crab condominiums. We aim to foster environmental sustainability while empowering local economies. Using our crab condominiums, we mimic the crab’s natural habitat providing them with safe spaces to thrive and reproduce while creating livelihood to fisherfolks.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mCEtv4lAbQRLMJ-PdToLlLh2FNzVZXjz/view?usp=sharing

This solution contributes directly to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: By promoting sustainable aquaculture practices through our mud crab condominiums, we contribute to food security.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: By reducing pressure on wild crab populations through new farming practices.
• SDGl 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: by providing meaningful employment opportunities, fostering economic growth, and promoting entrepreneurship within coastal communities.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority or PSA, there has been an average decline of 29% every year from 2018-2022 in the mudcrab production from overfishing due to high demand for crabs as a popular delicacy all over the world impacting both suppliers and consumers. In Panguil Bay, Philippines, exploitation rates of the three main mud crab species were greater than 0.50, indicating they are being overfished. 

As one of the largest suppliers of mud crabs globally, the Philippines plays a significant role in meeting both domestic and international demand for this delicacy. PSA also added that approximately 84% of our mud crab harvest goes directly to exportation leaving the Philippine consumer with poor-quality mud crabs that fail to meet expectations for freshness and quality. 

Dr. Cary Fowler, renowned for his work on the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, predicted that there  will be a global food shortage by 2050. If left unaddressed, this food crisis threatens food security and nutrition worldwide. As mud crabs are a significant source of protein and livelihood for coastal communities in the Philippines and beyond, the depletion of crab populations threatens local economies and also contributes to the issues of food insecurity and poverty. 

One recent initiative by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is the FishR program, aimed at registering fishers in coastal communities across the country to enhance the Municipal Fisherfolk Registry. This program, aligned with RA 8550 (Fisheries Code of the Philippines), intends to use FishR data for designing fisheries management and conservation measures. However, since its launch in 2014, some fishers remain unregistered, leading to inconsistent benefits distribution and information dissemination. Furthermore, critical data such as crab gear declarations are missing from the FishR database.

Another BFAR project, the National Stock Assessment Program (NSAP), started in 1997 to provide standardized and continuous information on fishery resources. In BFAR Region 6, the NSAP Team monitors 105 Fish Landing Sites (FLS), including 22 directly monitoring crab farms in the Western Visayas Sea. Despite these efforts, there is limited awareness among fishers and stakeholders leading to weak implementation.

Our solution aims to revolutionize mud crab farming through the introduction of innovative aquaculture practices, specifically the implementation of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). By integrating RAS, we can efficiently fatten our mudcrabs in 15-20 days instead of 1-2 months. This closed-loop system can transform Class C mud crabs to Class A 77% faster than traditional farming. We also reuse 85% of our water creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly farming method. RAS technology helps to mitigate risks associated with pollutants, parasites, and diseases commonly found in open water systems, minimizing the stress on the crabs, helping them to grow and reproduce, thus enhancing the overall sustainability of our farming practices. 

Our solution centers on the implementation of crab condominiums, which serve as a sustainable alternative to traditional fishing methods. By providing a habitat for mud crabs, promoting natural regeneration of marine ecosystems, and creating new economic opportunities through crab farming, our project addresses the root causes of overfishing and poverty while fostering environmental sustainability.

What sets our solution apart is its approach to integrating environmental conservation with economic development. Unlike conventional aquaculture practices that prioritize profit over sustainability. Through technology, community engagement, and market-based incentives, we are pioneering a new model of sustainable development that can be replicated in coastal communities worldwide.”

Our primary stakeholders are the local fishermen in Bolinao, Pangasinan and their families. Their primary concern is for them to have a secured employment that can help them feed and provide for their families. Each stakeholder group plays a crucial role in the success of our project, whether through participation in decision-making processes, support for  implementation efforts, or advocacy for sustainable practices.

Our engagement strategy prioritizes identifying key stakeholders and understanding their needs, ensuring alignment with project goals. We maintain transparent communication channels, fostering open dialogue and feedback exchange. Proactive outreach efforts include targeted campaigns and partnership development, demonstrating our commitment to building strong relationships. Our approach emphasizes active stakeholder involvement, valuing their perspectives and contributions to ensure project responsiveness and success.

To date, we have received overwhelming support from a diverse range of stakeholders,, including 50 local fishermen of Bolinao, Pangasinan who are eager to participate in our program. In addition, we are also getting endorsements from esteemed institutions like the De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde Hub for Innovation For Inclusion and Nexus PH to help us join incubation programs, Sultan Kudarat State University to endorse us with environmental organizations to help us with research and development, and commitments from government agencies like Department of Trade and Industry  and International Trade Center. This broad-based support not only validates the importance of our project but also provides the foundation for its continued growth and impact.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KUUWHIY-vM3z1rgXzNTXq8GDhi38Vn3s/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yDJr2pPC8DjoS99u41AIuWZ3VDaLL05G/view?usp=sharing

Our multi-stakeholder approach made it easy to face challenges in our journey through our engagement with stakeholders such as the fisherfolks and their families, government agencies, NGOs, customers and people who truly care about the issues beyond just crab supply. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u_quDAuOU6wV6yzr7FV9bjxiBsDbmODl/view?usp=sharing

In order to optimize sustainability, we improved our methods and techniques. We added additional features in our system blueprint that were guided by what issues we need to resolve. We made Targeted changes that are driven by stakeholder feedback and evidence-based decision-making.  We modified farming methods by adding some wave maker to the system to mimic natural environment for the crabs, feeding them live fish instead of artificial food, and releasing 2% of our juvenile crabs back in the wild as we developed our mindset that creating a business is not all about the bottom line, it is also about the dent we can make at our little corner in the world. 

Moving forward, we’re committed to continuous learning and collaboration. By harnessing insights and collective effort, we aim to drive lasting change in coastal communities.

Tambanokano Aqua Farm is not just about crabs – it’s about transforming lives and building a brighter future for coastal communities. Through our innovative approach, strategic partnerships, and unwavering commitment to our mission, we are confident that we can make a lasting and meaningful impact on the world.

We invite you to join us on this journey of sustainability and social impact. Help us turn our vision into reality. Together, let’s change lives, one crab condominium at a time.