Mussels, locally known as tahong , are a corner-stone of the Philippine mariculture sector, serving as an affordable protein source and a lifeline for artisanal coastal fishers. However, the period between 2021 and 2024 marked a pivotal transition for the industry, shifting away from destructive traditional methods toward high-yield, sustainable technology.

: During the pandemic recovery, easy-to-make seafood recipes like Adobong Tahong and Tinolang Tahong

Whether you are a home cook looking for the freshest batch or an investor scouting aquaculture opportunities, remember: Tahong is not just a shellfish – it’s a barometer of the health of Philippine coastal waters. And by all metrics, 2024 is a banner year for this humble yet mighty mussel.

: Perhaps the most groundbreaking advancement was the successful distribution of hatchery-produced green mussel spats (seeds). For decades, the industry relied on collecting wild spats, which is an unreliable practice that contributes to overfishing. In April 2024, a fisherfolk organization in Guimaras became the first to receive hatchery-produced spats from a collaboration between UPV-CFOS and BFAR-6. These 50,000 spats are "clean and healthy" and represent a sustainable solution to the persistent problem of low seed supply. The initiative is so promising that Guimaras has been identified as one of the expansion sites for green mussel culture in the country.

: Aiming for a 25% production increase every five years through modernized farming techniques.