IDENTIFICATION OF MOLLUSCS IN THE SEVENTEEN

COASTAL BARANGAY OF CALATAGAN, BATANGAS

Vidal, Rose Ann Z.; Villasin, Venus S.; Zamora, James S.
Batangas State University-ARASOF Nasugbu Batangas, Philippines
Mail: Roseannvidal08@gmail.com; Venusvillasin875@gmail.com; Zamorajames59@gmail.com
The rationale of this study is to identified the commonly type of molluscs that can found in the
specific coastal barangay and their uses. Molluscs have been important to humans for thousands of
years they have been, and still are, used as food, tools, decorations, currency, musical instruments and
more. A study relative to molluscs may help the Molluscs farmers who are dependent on marine
resources to be open-minded with regard to the present economic status of Molluscs. It may also help
in sustaining their livelihood, in terms of the use of new and effective marketing, and culturing
strategies. A study of this nature may likewise help raise awareness on the controlled use of this
amazing sea creature.
The objective of identifying the commonly found molluscs in their coastal area is to make
people able to know if this species is available in their area. Also to found out if the behavior of the
people can cause threats on the molluscs population and to have knowledge on taking care of their
responsible coastal areas. The other one is to identify if this species can be source of income and to
know on what help can we suggest in molluscs gatherers on what they need in order to improve the
uses of they gathered molluscs. The last objectives is on Aquatic Resources Management Framework
to help in scaling up the production initiative for molluscs and also to helping people by giving them
knowledge on how to manage properly their coastal area to protect the population of molluscs.
This study aimed to identify the distribution of Molluscs of Calatagan, Batangas in order to
come up with a proposed aquatic resources management framework. Likewise, it specifically aimed to
identify the common species of Molluscs found in the coastal areas of Calatagan, Batangas; the
identified threats beset by Molluscs population, the marketing strategies employed by the Molluscs
gatherers; and the aquatic resources management framework may be proposed in order to scale up the
production initiative for Molluscs. The descriptive method of research was utilized with the survey
questionnaire as the data gathering instrument two hundred forty-one molluscs gatherers of Calatagan,
Batangas were being surveyed through survey questionnaire and interviewed that is being done in a
span of five days this study was limited to the responses and the data gathered from the respondents.
In Calatagan, Batangas the species name Turbans, Cone shell and Tops was the mostly found
species in terms of univalve and in terms of bivalve Oyster and Giant Clams was the dominance. The
threats beset in their area were over collection in terms of human activities and weather got the highest
rank in terms of natural phenomena. They use gathering molluscs as substitute on their source of
income so we proposed some aquatic management framework on how they will scale up the production
and on how they conserve the molluscs population that has in their coastal area.
In terms of molluscs species found in the coastal areas of Calatagan, Batangas, in univalve
classification the Turbans, Cone shell and Tops are most found and in the bivalve classification, Oyster
and Giant Clams had been dominance. According to the data gathered, most of the respondents selected
the threats over collection in terms of human activities and in terms of natural phenomena and the
weather affects the molluscs species. Based on the findings, most of the respondents derivable the
molluscs for their own benefits most of them is eaten by them also most of them prefer the producer to
retailer to consumer mode as their marketing channel but none of them opted for the producer to agent
to wholesaler to retailer to consumer mode. The Aquatic Resources Management Framework was
proposed to conserve the species found, to avoid threats and marketing strategies that are employed by
the molluscs gatherers in Calatagan, Batangas which can help to the scale up the production initiative
for molluscs.

KEYWORDS
Molluscs, Univalve, Bivalve, Marketing Strategy, Threats
1. INTRODUCTION
Molluscs belong to an extremely
abundant and diverse group. Majority of them
live in all levels starting from the intertidal zone
down to the abyssal depths. Marine waters are
home to bivalves.
The biggest group in the
phylum Mollusca, gastropods include more than
65,000 animal species under the class
Gastropoda. Snails, which are protected by shells
from which the animal can literally withdraw,
and the slugs-snails the shells of which have been
downgraded to an internal fragment or totally
lost in the process of evolution also belong to
class Gastropoda. Just like the plight of other
marine species, there are threats to their survival
such as habitat destruction or alteration,
exploitation, introduced species, pollution, and
over collecting. Molluscs are also turned into
food and accessories to many people living
adjacent the coastal area but still, many of the
threats to them are caused by people who benefit
from such awesome creations.
Globally, Europe was the one of the
biggest country that has a big number of
molluscs populations. There‟s about about
44 percent or 373 species of freshwater
Molluscs and 20 percent or 246 species of
the selected terrestrial molluscs are threatened,
while at the European Union 27 level in 2011, a
slightly higher percentage is observed
with 50 percent or 273 species of freshwater
Molluscs and 21 percent or 235 species of the
selected terrestrial Molluscs are being threatened.
A further nine percent of freshwater and
15 percent of the selected terrestrial molluscs are
considered nearly threatened at the European
level. Europe is the biggest country that has a big
number of populations of molluscs worldwide.
There is a lack of good population trend
data and a vast majority of the assessed non-
marine Molluscs species have unknown
population trends or 83 percent for the freshwater
Molluscs and more than half – 53 percent – for
the terrestrial Molluscs, whilst in both cases, less
than one percent of species are seen to be
increasing (Biodiversity.europa.eu Website,
2010).
India is one of the 11 countries that
belong to Asia, and there is an island there that is
rich in diversity Molluscs population. Andaman
and Nicobar Islands have a rich molluscan
diversity, which include about 1150 species
distributed in marine which is around 1000
species, land which is around 110 species and
freshwater which is around 40 species the Gulf of
Mannar, including the Coromandel Coast, and
Lakshadweep have 428 and 424 species,
respectively. Gulf of Kutch or the Gujarat coast
and the Orissa coast account for 350 and 337
species, respectively. The diversity in these areas
is mainly due to preponderance of marine
Molluscs. As far as land Molluscs are concerned
diversity is concentrated in the North eastern
India and Western Ghats (Indpaedia.com
Website, 2015).
The diversity of molluscs in Mindanao
Island, south of the Philippines is noticeably
scarce. The spatial structure and diversity of
Molluscs in the shorelines of Padada, Davao del
Sur along the coastline area create a transect with
an interval of 50 meters at the least. Ten transects
were perpendicularly installed along the
shoreline. Each transect was comprised of 10
plots with a measurement of 1 meter by 1 meter.
Lake Taal, which is situated at around
60 kilometers south of Manila, Philippines, is a
distinct environment owing to its geographical
and geological features. The molluscan fauna has
always been regarded as a significant feature of
the lake. In terms of ecology, these animals are
perhaps the leading benthic invertebrate group.
In terms of economy, they are significant as
some species are harvested for human and animal
consumption.
2. OBJECTIVES
The objective of identifying the
commonly found molluscs in their coastal area is
to make people able to know if this species is
available in their area. Also to found out if the
behavior of the people can cause threats on the
molluscs population and to have knowledge on
taking care of their responsible coastal areas. The
other one is to identify if this species can be
source of income and to know on what help can
we suggest in molluscs gatherers on what they
need in order to improve the uses of they
gathered molluscs. The last objectives is on
Aquatic Resources Management Framework to
help in scaling up the production initiative for
molluscs and also to helping people by giving
them knowledge on how to manage properly
their coastal area to protect the population of
molluscs.
3. LITERATURES REVIEW
3.1 Conceptual Literature
Molluscs. Clams, snails, and the squid-
octopus group belong to a large category or
phylum of animals called Molluscs. Their name
means “soft-bodied,” but that only means there
are no bones and their meat they have a thick,
muscular body with lots of complex organ inside;
a nervous system with a brain or some-times
threel and some sense organs four smell and
often for sight or eyes; a complete digestive
system with many organs; and systems for
circulation like the arteries, veins, and one or
more hearts, for excretion like kidneys, and for
respiration like gills for breathing or on land.
Seashells belong to the Phylum
Mollusca, one of the most diverse groups of
animals, second only to the arthropods. Estimates
on the number of the living species vary from a
very conservative count of known species, 52,
and 525. Seashells are the calcareous exoskeleton
produced by marine Molluscs. Although not all
Molluscs have a shell, and other organisms
produce a molluscan-large shell such as
foraminifera, polychaetes, barnacles,
brachiopods.
Coastal Areas of Calatagan,
Batangas. The Municipality of Calatagan lies in
the southwestern most part of the Province of
Batangas, in a peninsula approximately one
hundred ten (110) kilometers south of the City of
Manila. It is bounded on the north by the
municipalities of Lian and Balayan, on the south
by the Verde Island Passage, on the east by
Pagapas and Balayan Bays and on the west by
West Philippine Sea. The Municipality is located
at coordinates 13 degree 50 hour latitude and 120
degree 38 hour longitude. The seat of the
municipal government of the town of Calatagan
is exactly 125 kilometers by road from the
Capital City of Manila. It is 70 kilometers from
Batangas City, which is the seat of the provincial
government. The western shoreline of the
Municipality is bounded by reef and relatively
shallow water, where low fish corrals are set up.
The entrance at Sitio Balong Bato has to go
through the barrier of reefs. On eastern side, the
entrance is through Balabatican and Punta
Buaya. The extreme southern part of the
peninsula is similar to most promontories
bordering the sea and it is called Cape Santiago.
Calatagan is politically subdivided into
twenty five (25) barangays. These are the
following barangays: Poblacion 1, Poblacion 2,
Poblacion 3, Poblacion 4, Bagong Silang, Baha,
Balibago, Balitoc, Biga, Bucal, Carlosa,
Carretunan , Encarnation, Gulod, Hukay,
Lucsuhin, Luya, Paraiso, Quilitisan, Real,
Sambungan, Santa Ana, Talibayog, Talisay,
Tanagan.
The interface between the land and
water are called coastal areas. These zones are
important because a majority of the world‟s
population inhabit such zones. Coastal zones are
continually changing because of the dynamic
interaction between the oceans and the land.
Waves and wind along the cost are both eroding
rock and depositing sediment on a continuous
basis, and rates of erosion and deposition vary
considerable from day to day along such zones.
The energy reaching the coast can become high
during storms, and such high energies make
coastal zones areas of high vulnerability to
natural hazards. Thus, an understanding of the
interaction of the oceans and the land is essential
in understanding the hazard associated with
coastal zones. Tides, currents, and waves bring
energy to the coast.
Marketing Strategies. There are
numerous strategy gurus, each with a favorite
approach to framing business and marketing
situation. Look at the most popular frameworks.
Marketers take more responsibility for increasing
sales revenues and tend to pass much of the
responsibility for decreasing cost to the
operational side of the business. So it will come
as no surprise that these strategic perspectives
follow suit, emphasizing increased sales more
than decreased costs.
The first positioning strategy to be used
is selecting the right target market. A target
market is determined by recognizing that
different groups or segments of the market have
different needs and wants. Whether person
categorize the segment by age, gender, location,
occupation or income level, the principle remains
the same. No matter how the segment of market,
a result must come out of the analysis. The
person must be able to bring together people who
share a common interest and perspective of a
product, and have a common need the product
would fill. After doing so, people need to decide
which segments of a market are going the target.
May be all or half. However, people must make
sure to choose the most suitable segments for the
product, to ensure most effective and cost
efficient marketing.
The next step in order to position one‟s
business very effectively is to apply these two
concepts, namely Unique Selling Proposition or
USP and brand name USP is making the product
unique and distinct from the other products found
in the market. It also tells what specific niche you
want to fill.
Aquatic Resource Management
Framework. A subset of tasks, processes, tools
and templates used in combination by the
management team to get insight into the major
structural elements of the project in order to
initiate, plan, execute, control, monitor, and
terminate the project activities throughout the
management life-cycle. Project Management
framework allows using various methodologies
and approaches to plan and schedule the major
phases of the lifecycle. Regardless of the type,
size and nature of project, a typical Project
Management framework includes micro and
macro phases, templates and checklists,
processes and activities, roles and
responsibilities, training material and work
guidelines- all this information is organize and
systematized into a structure allowing managers
and planners to control progress of their projects
throughout the lifecycle.
Assessment methods should be selected
to produce the types of outputs needed for
management purposes, and to utilize the
available data to the maximum extent possible.
The data available for hard-to-age species
typically include catch time-series often from a
variety of “fleets”, and indices of relative
abundance, including those based on sampling of
commercial catches and form fishery-
independent sources.
3.2 Research Literature
Graf, et al.'s (2018) study reviewed the
secondary literature and developing a
comprehensive taxonomic data base. The
descriptive research design was utilized in the
study. The locale were the researches gathered
information for data base are in the following
places geographical regions such as Nearctica,
Neotropica, Afrotropica, Palearctica, Indotropica,
and Australasia and one or more sub region. The
findings of the study revealed that fresh water
mussels or the Bivalvia: Unionoida are
interesting because of their unique lifecycles,
global aggregate distribution and ancient origin.
They are also of practical importance due to their
worldwide, imperiled status. Each valid genus
was assigned to the lowest possible level in
classification derived from the study, recent
phylogenetic analyses. Based upon consensus of
numerous regional works, global estimate of
freshwater mussel diversity is 840 species. The
largest family is the Unionidae, with 674 species.
However, the classification of that taxon is
currently influx, and many genera corresponding
to 225 species.
Guo, et al.'s (2016) study identified the
infectious diseases affecting marine Molluscs.
The experimental research design was used in the
study. The exact transmission mechanisms are
not well understood, human activities and
associated environmental changes often correlate
with increased disease prevalence. Although
people might be tempted to downplay the role of
immunity in invertebrates, recent advances in
genomics have provided insights into host and
parasite genomes and revealed surprisingly
sophisticated innate immune systems in
Molluscs. All major innate immune pathways are
found in Molluscs with many immune receptors,
regulators and effectors expanded. The expanded
gene families provide great diversity and
complexity in innate immune response, which
may be key to Molluscs defense against diverse
pathogens in the absence of adaptive immunity.
Jumawan, et al.'s (2015) study was
provided an analysis in the diversity and spatial
structure of shoreline molluscs found in Padada,
Davao del Sur. The descriptive research design
was employed in the study. The finding of study
revealed that sampling was conducted along the
coastline area by establishing a transect with
interval of at least 50 meter. The results
identified a total of 31 species coming from class
Gastropoda or 17 species and Bivalvia or 14
species. Diversity indices and species importance
values were determined. The data is the first
attempt to provide baseline information on
mollusk diversity and community structure in the
study area.
Picardal, et al.'s (2014) study obtained a
baseline information on species richness of
gastropods and bivalves in two protected bays
namely Turtle and Binunsalian in Puerto Princesa
City, Philippines before the establishment of the
proposed mega resort facilities. The descriptive
research design was employed in the study. The
respondents of the study include two rare miters,
seven recently described species and first record
of Timocleaimbricata (Veneridae) in Palawan.
The findings of study revealed that a total of 108
species were recorded, around 19 bivalves and 89
gastropods. Threatened species were note
countered during the survey suggesting that both
bays had been over fished. Turtle Bay had very
low visibility; low coral cover substantial signs
of ecosystem disturbances and shift from coral to
algal communities. Although Binunsalian Bay
had clearer waters and relatively high coral
cover, associated fish and macro benthic
invertebrates were of low or no commercial
values. Upon the establishment and operations of
their sort facilities, follow up species inventories
and habitat assessment are suggested to evaluate
the importance of private resorts in biodiversity
restoration.
3.4 Synthesis
With reference to the first construct, the
insights of Parker et al., Bouchet, provided the
necessary content as regards the definition and
identification of Molluscs. The insights and
discussion on Molluscs provided structural bases
for the first construct.
Relative to the second construct, which
is centered on the municipal planning and
development office, the Tulane.edu Website
Description, Description and other information
from selected websites afforded the researchers
necessary data to show coastal areas of
Calatagan, Batangas.
The third construct made use of
Iacobucci and Garcia insights on definition and
techniques on study resulted from the
aforementioned advances on marketing
strategies.
Finally, with regard to the fourth and
final construct, McConnell and Punt ideas on
definition afforded insightful discussion/outline
in understanding the meaning of these construct.
Likewise, Malsocaus.org, insights on resource
assessment provided additional concepts in the
discussion on management framework.
Graf, et al.‟s study is analogous with the
present study because both dealt with some
economically important Molluscs. However, they
differ because the previous study focused on
diversity of freshwater Molluscs while the
present study centered on the diversity of marine
water Molluscs.
Guo, et al.‟s study is in consonance
with the present study because both dealt with
the factor that affects Molluscs. However, they
differ because the previous study centered on
infectious disease of marine Molluscs and host
response while the present study underscored the
threats that beset Molluscs farms.
Jumawan, et al.‟s study runs parallel
with present study owing to the fact that both
dealt with the sampling conducted along the
coastal areas. However, they differ because the
previous study focused on diversity and spatial
structure of shoreline Molluscs found in Padala,
Davao del Sur, while the present study centered
on the diversity and spatial structure of shoreline
Molluscs found in Calatagan, Batangas.
Picardal, et al.‟s study is in congruence
with the present study in the sense that both dealt
with baseline information on species richness of
gastropods and bivalves. However, they differ
because the previous study focused not only on
Molluscs but also relatively high coral cover,
associated fish and macro benthic invertebrates
where of low or no commercial values while the
present study highlighted only the information
about Molluscs.
4. MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study employed the quantitative
method of research. For the quantitative research,
the study used the validated questionnaire as
data-gathering instrument. It also used
registration method by referring to the authorized
offices (Municipal Environmental and Natural
Resources office) to gather suppelemental
information. For the Quantitative Data Analysis,
the statistical treatment was used.
5. RESULTS AND DISSCUSSION
The Common Species of Molluscs
that are Found in the Coastal areas of
Calatagan, Batangas in terms of univalves.
Univalve are members of class Molluscs. In
Philippines it has approximately 22, 000 of
molluscs species and 68 percent of it is
univalves, including the marine, freshwater and
land snails they are called univalve because
they have one valve or shell. Some of this was
used this as a food and sometimes their shells are
used as home decorations. Philippines were truly
a paradise of molluscs because every year there
were a new species and new records of molluscs
identified.
 Table1. Most Common Species of Univalve
Molluscs that are Found in Coastal Areas in
Calatagan, Batangas
This table shows most common species
of univalve molluscs that are found in coastal
areas of Calatagan, Batangas, Philippines.
According to the respondents, the Turbo
petholatus, Conus muriculatus and Tegula
rogusa species are the commonly found univalve
molluscs in their coastal areas. The respondents
also commented that those species easily
reproduce and they also have good resistance to
diseases. Those species are restricted to the
extreme low water in the intertidal zones, where
it is located in the rocky substrata under stones
and on weeds. They are found at depths of up to
80 m in the subtidal on rock, muddy area similar
to the coastal areas of Calatagan, Batangas. This
finding is in consonance with Fretwell, et. al‟s
(2013) findings, which states that the red turban
snails are One of the larger, more striking marine
snails found in central coast of Australia. It has a
wide rounded base that tapers quickly to the
point, giving the shell wide cone shape. This
species is often found on rocky, exposed
shorelines. It lives in intertidal zone to 80 m
deep.
On the other hand, the species named
Haliotis diversicolor, Buccinum undatum and
Bolinus brandaris have been identified as the
least of the univalve molluscs populations in the
coastal areas. Some of the respondents said that
these species can only be seen in the deepest
areas and others was belong to over collection
cases because of their high market values. The
resistance to diseases of those species also not
that good so they easily die. The findings of this
study are consonance with Fishtech.com
Website, 2018 findings which state that this
specie lost in over and illegal harvesting.
Abalone is easily over harvested because of slow
growth and variable reproductive success. Initial
high harvests cannot be sustained. Some people
ignore the regulations enacted to protect abalone
because abalones bring high prices.
This table shows most common species of
bivalve molluscs that are found in coastal areas
in Calatagan, Batangas. According to the
respondents, the species named Pinctada maxima
and Tridac nagigas have been the dominant
bivalve species. This species are well-known as
filter feeder molluscs because they can easily
adapt to a polluted water. The specie population
grows well because these species reproduce well
and faster on warm water through broadcast
spawning.
On the contrary, this table also showed
that Mytilus edulis and Argopectan irradians are
the least dominant species. These species can be
easily affected by red tide and are over-collected.
Mussels lost their population in coastal area of
Calatagan due to lack of clean water supply.
Some coastal barangays do not give full attention
in the cleanliness of the water that causes the lost
of the population of this specific species.
The Common Species of Molluscs
that are Found in the Coastal areas of
Calatagan, Batangas in terms of bivalves. The
name bivalve refers to the two-part shell that
characterizes these molluscs species. Some
bivalve molluscs are filter feeders. That gets food
through the currents of water that flow on them
and they caught them by the used of gill mucus.
Some of them are hermaphroditic which mean
have male and female sex organs and some of
them have separate sex organ.
Table2. Most Common Species of Bivalve
Molluscs that are Found in Coastal
Communities in Calatagan, Batangas
This table shows most common species
of bivalve molluscs that are found in coastal
areas in Calatagan, Batangas. According to the
respondents, the species named Pinctada maxima
and Tridac nagigas have been the dominant
bivalve species. This species are well-known as
filter feeder molluscs because they can easily
adapt to a polluted water. The specie population
grows well because these species reproduce well
and faster on warm water through broadcast
spawning.
On the contrary, this table also showed
that Mytilus edulis and Argopectan irradians are
the least dominant species. These species can be
easily affected by red tide and are over-collected.
Mussels lost their population in coastal area of
Calatagan due to lack of clean water supply.
Some coastal barangays do not give full attention
in the cleanliness of the water that causes the lost
of the population of this specific species.
The Identified Threats that Beset the
Molluscs Population in Terms of Human
Activities. Molluscs are probably the most
familiar invertebrate. Most of them are valued by
man, however people exploit, pollute, alter their
habitats, introduce species, and over-collect them
that affects their survival rate.
The Identified Threats that Beset the Molluscs
Population in terms of Human Activities
Items Frequency Rank
Over-Collection 130 1
Pollution 114 2
Exploitation 50 3
Habitat
49 4
Alternation
Introduce
0 5
Species
This table shows the identified threats
beset in the molluscs population in terms of
human activities. It can be gleaned from the said
table that the item on over-collection ranked first
and got the highest frequency of 130. This result
attributed to the respondents‟ perception that
aside from fishes, molluscs is the prime
commodity of the community.
On the other hand, it was also shown on
the said table that the item introduced species got
the lowest frequency. This result may be due to
the respondents‟ perception that there are species
found in the deep part of the ocean and in the
shallow water but they did not saw unfamiliar The Marketing Strategies that are Employed
species coming from the other country. by the Molluscs Gatherers in Terms of Types
The Identified Threats that Beset the of Middlemen
Molluscs Population in Terms of Natural
Phenomena. Natural phenomena are phenomena Items Frequency Rank
that are not artificial and cause by nature. The Retailer 53 1
threats that are affecting the abundance of Wholesaler 38 2
molluscs are weather, erosion, wave propagation, Broker 6 3
tidal flow and whirlpool. And the sustained
effective marine conservation can lead to the Table shows the marketing strategies
recovery of the species. that are employed by the molluscs gatherers in
The Identified Threats that Beset the Molluscs terms of types of middlemen. The marketing
Population in terms of Natural Phenomena strategies that are being used in the coastal areas
of Calatagan, Batangas by the gatherers and the
Items Frequency Rank residents or respondents are brokers, wholesalers
Weather 115 1 and retailers. It can be gleaned from the said
Erosion 81 2 table that the item on retailer ranked first and got
Wave 25 3 the highest frequency of 53. This result attributed
Propagation to the respondents‟ perception that retailer
Tidal Flow 12 4 provide access to the consumer who cannot
Whirlpool 9 5 purchase directly to the producer.
Table further shows that the item on
Table revealed the identified threats broker got the lowest frequency of 6. This result
beset in the molluscs population in terms of attributed to the respondents‟ belief that broker is
natural phenomena. It can be obtained from the less interested in small business and engaged to
said table majority of the respondents choose the market properties, aid in contract negotiations,
item weather as threats with frequency of 115. and functions various post-contract task to assist
This result attributed to the respondents‟ finalize or “close” transaction with the average
perception that the inconsistent of weather intention of maximizing gross sale proceeds for
reduced the increment of molluscs. sellers.
On the other hand, the table shows that The Marketing Strategies that are
few of them choose the item whirlpool as threats. Employed by the Molluscs Gatherers in
This result is attributed to the respondents‟ belief Terms of Marketing Channels. Marketing
that whirlpool cannot affect the population of this channels are the approaches that goods and
species. services are made accessible for use with the aid
The Marketing Strategies that are of the consumers. Marketers take more
Employed by the Molluscs Gatherers in responsibility for increasing sales revenues and
Terms of Types of Middlemen. Marketing tend to pass much of the responsibility for
approach is a long term, forward-looking strategy decreasing cost to the operational side of the
to planning with the critical goal of achieving a business.
sustainable aggressive advantage. Strategic The Marketing Strategies that are Employed
planning involves an evaluation the company‟s by the Molluscs Gatherers in Terms of
strategic preliminary scenario to the formulation, Marketing Channels
comparison and decision of market-oriented
aggressive position that contributes to the Items Frequency Rank
company‟s desires and advertising objectives. Others : 55 1
Producer to
retailer to 25 2
consumer
Producer to
24 3
consumer
Producer to
wholesaler to 8 4
consumer

Producer to
agent to
wholesaler to 3 5
retailer to
consumer
Table shows the marketing strategies
that are employed by the molluscs gatherers in
terms of marketing channels. It can be obtained
from the said table that majority of respondents
choose the item others which is own benefits as
marketing channel with frequency of 55. This
result attributed to the respondents‟ perception
that getting the items directly it may reduce
spending of their money.
On the other hand, the table shows that
the item wholesaler to retailer to consumer got
the lowest rank as marketing channels. This
result is attributed to the respondents‟ belief that
the coastal areas in Calatagan Batangas that there
are few gatherers of the gathered molluscs does
not able to circulate in accordance to producer to
agent to wholesaler to retailer to consumer.
The Aquatic Resources Management
Framework may be Proposed in Order to
Scale Up the Production Initiative for
Molluscs?
The Gathering of molluscs is one of the
substitute in the source of income that been lost
due to improper disposal of waste, but there are
still some issues that caused of loses on their
population like over-collection and pollution.
The Aquatic Resources Management Framework
is a subset of tasks, processes, tools and
templates used in combination by the
management team to get insights into the major
structural elements of the project in order to
initiate, plan, execute, control, monitor, and
terminate the project activities throughout the
management life-cycle. The Researcher made
and action plan outlines on what, who, why,
when, and how management framework will be
conducted and presented.
The proposed aquatic resources
management framework in order to scale up the
production initiative for molluscs. Four aspects
may be considered and examined by people in
authority in order to scale up the production of
aquatic resources. As revealed in the findings of
this study, there is a need to disseminate
information to the molluscs gatherers about the
production season of the molluscs. And to the
fish pond facilitators that are executing draining
and flooding of the waste material to the sea.
These programs may include movement,
seminar, training and extension service.
It also indicated that the first aspect of
the program is the Information Dissemination
Movement with the theme of „‟ Proposed
Management Framework: To scale up the
production of molluscs”. The objectives of this
movement are to disseminate the importance and
advantages of molluscs species and to upgrade
the welfare of the local community. Based on the
findings, most of the gatherers molluscs are used
for food and relying to the sea for their survival.
The said activity will be conducted by the
persons with authority by giving brochures of the
importance and advantages of molluscs species
to the gatherers of the local community.
The second aspect of the program is the
Seminar and Training focused on the Capability
Building Program: Control and Self-discipline
Program and Training on Proper Waste Disposal
of the Pond. The purpose of this seminar is to
provide information that the draining and
flooding of waste material from the fish ponds
affect the molluscs, to provide adequate and
timely information towards good management of
sea and to reduce the over-collection of molluscs
among the gatherers. As pointed out in the
findings of this study, the fishponds operators
execute the draining and flooding of their pond
direct to the sea and it affects the life living
organisms including the molluscs. Persons with
authority will invite resource persons like aqua
culturists who can help them to improve the good
management. The participants are the fishpond
owners, operators and people in the community.
The last aspect is the Extension Service
which centers on the Aquaculture Extension
Service. The main objective of this is to provide
surveillance on expansions of molluscs farming
and to apply all the proper procedures in
culturing molluscs. This extension service is
proposed to help the molluscs farmers to improve
their culture system and to scale up their
production. Extension workers and persons with
authority will provide inputs to operators about
culturing management to the molluscs farmer.
The researchers proposed this program
to help the molluscs gatherers to maintain the
main source of their income and food. This may
help them open up the minds of the fishpond
owners who release the waste materials to the sea
which affect the molluscs living in the areas and
also the lives of the people who rely on the
resources coming from the sea as well as to
instill the value of self-discipline among the
molluscs gatherers in order to control themselves
against the over-collection of molluscs.
6. CONCLUSIONS
From the findings of the study, the following
conclusions were drawn:
In terms of molluscs species found in
the coastal areas of Calatagan, Batangas, it was
revealed in the study that among the eight (8)
species of univalve classification, the Turbans,
Cone shell and Tops are most commonly found
species regard to the bivalve classification, it was
found out that five (5) given species the oyster
and giant clams are the most commonly found
species in the fifteen (15) coastal areas of
Calatagan, Batangas.
According to the data gathered, over
collection and weather are the identified threats
that beset the molluscs gatherers in terms of
human impacts and natural phenomena.
Based on the findings ,the marketing
strategies employed in the municipality centered
from the producer to the retailer to the consumer
strategy. However, some of gatherers used their
collected molluscs for their own benefits as their
own foods for their family.
The Aquatic Resources Management
Framework was proposed to conserve the species
found in Calatagan, Batangas in order to scale up
the production initiative for molluscs gatherers.
7. Recommendations
From the findings and conclusions of the study,
the following recommendations were advanced:
That the Municipal Environment and
Resources Office of Calatagan should monitor
the improper release of waste from the nearby
pond into the marine waters which causes the
death of some molluscs. Also they should
provide some seminars and trainings to improve
the knowledge of molluscs gatherers.
That the Municipal Environmental and
Resources office of Calatagan should utilize the
Aquatic Resources Management Framework to
conserve the species in order to scale up the
production initiative of molluscs gatherers.
That the Municipality of Calatagan
should provide budgetary allocation for the
molluscs gatherers in order to start up their
business so they can sell their gathered molluscs
in the market at the right price.
That the molluscs gatherers should take
responsibilities to organize a group of gatherers
that will be responsible in taking care of the
population of this species.
8. REFERENCES
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Acknowledgement
The researchers would like to extend
their sincerest thanks, appreciation and deepest
gratitude to the following who generously
contributed in the making of this study. This
paper would not have been made possible
without their valued assistance and
encouragement.
Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo the University
President; Dr. Erma B. Quinay, the vice president
of academic affairs; Prof. Enrico M. Dalangin,
the Campus Executive director; and Assoc. Prof.
Josephine D. Vergara, the Dean of Colleges of
the BatStateU-ARASOF Nasugbu, for their
motivation that helped hasten the completion of
this study.
Dr. Maria Luisa A. Valdez, College of
Arts and Sciences Associate Dean , for the
countless assistance, valuable and incomparable
support, encouragement and enduring effort in
checking the thesis manuscript;
Asst. Prof. Paulita R. Delos Reyes,
thesis adviser, for the encouragement, assistance
and suggestions to the researchers.
The panel Members of the Thesis
Committee namely: Mrs. Dairen P. De Luna,
MDC and Mr. Melecio Joseph B. Bo for their
constructive criticism and suggestions that drew
up the essential and relevant dimension of this
study;
To their family and friends, for their
continuous support both moral and financial
aspects and to their unfailing encouragement
which contributed a lot for the accomplishment
of this study;
And lastly, and most importantly, to the
Lord, for giving us strength, patience, and
determination to accomplish this study.