Site Selection Criteria for Shellfish Culture
- Location near river mouths shielded by natural features, free from strong currents.
- Preferred seabed: muddy or sandy with presence of natural sponges and barnacles.
- Depth requirements: 3 to 4 meters for mussels, 1.2 to 3 meters for oysters (pole or stake method), 8 to 10 meters for floating raft method.
- Water conditions: salinity of 27 to 35 ppt for mussels, 17 to 26 ppt for oysters; temperature range 26 to 28 °C.
- Mandatory sanitary survey to assess pollution sources, water quality (bacteriological criteria), and meteorological/geographical factors.
Guidelines for Gathering Shellfish
- Shellfish harvesting only with a certificate to harvest issued by municipal or city fishery officers.
- Shellfish must be brushed, scrubbed, and cleaned of mud and dirt.
- Protection from contamination including diesel, lubricants, gas, or oil during collection and transport.
- Transport must occur immediately and within 15 hours post-harvest.
- Watercraft used must be cleaned to avoid contamination.
- Prohibition of destructive methods for shellfish gathering.
Handling, Transporting, and Packaging Requirements
- Personnel handling shellfish must have no open wounds or communicable diseases.
- Use of clean packaging materials: live shellfish in sacks, bamboo baskets, bayongs, or crates; shell meat in PE bags, styrofoam, or polystyrene boxes.
- Shell meat for transport must be packed in plastic bags to avoid ice contact and maintained at 0 to 4 °C.
- Ice packing quantity adjusted according to shipment duration; temperature maintained at 5 °C.
- Shipment must always be accompanied by an auxiliary invoice from the point of origin.
Health Control and Monitoring
- Periodic health monitoring by BFAR, coordinating with local governments.
- Regular microbiological testing of water and shell meat in growing areas.
- Verification of issuance and compliance of auxiliary invoices during transport.
- Inspections on handling and transport from harvest areas to processing plants.
Mandate for Local Legislation and Enforcement
- Local governments to enact ordinances penalizing:
- Harvesting shellfish from waters under ban due to red tide (no harvesting certificates issued).
- Issuance or use of auxiliary invoices without a valid harvesting certificate.
- Transport of shellfish without proper auxiliary invoices.
- Gathering shellfish or spat from contaminated waters for seeding clean waters.
Effectivity of the Order
- The guideline becomes effective 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or two newspapers of general circulation.
- Also takes effect 15 days after registration with the Office of the National Administrative Register.