Jellyfish in Palawan’s Malampaya Sound declining

Jellyfish used to teem in the waters of Malampaya Sound in Palawan. In recent years, however, this marine species has diminished due to overfishing.

A recent study conducted by Rodrigo Camacho Jr. of the Palawan State University-Biodiversity Center for Research and Conservation (PSU-BCRC) in Puerto Princesa City showed that jellyfish buying stations in the province collect an average of 20,000 to 30,000 fresh “umbrellas” (heads, minus the oral arms or tentacles) every day.

Dried jellyfish is repacked in Manila for export to Japan and Korea.

In Korea, a dried jellyfish costs $1.7 to $2.1 per kilogram, while in Japan a high-grade dried jellyfish sells for $3 to $3.2 per kilogram.

Fishermen used to regard jellyfish as pest that clogs their nets and fish corrals, thus reducing their fish catch. Some jellyfish species were even considered harmful to man because of their deadly stings. Recently though, studies have established the economic, medicinal, and ecological importance of jellyfish.

Jellyfish processing was started in Malampaya Sound a few decades ago by Chinese traders from Hong Kong. Dried jellyfish is eaten either raw or cooked. Fisherfolk believe that eating pickled or cooked jellyfish with vegetables makes them strong and resistant to ailments such as hypertension, arthritis, back pains and malaria.

Salt-dried jellyfish has a crunchy and crispy texture with a storage life of one year at room temperature.

Dr. Dolly Fernandez of the Los Baños-based Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (DOST-PCAMRD) reported that according to Camacho “a whiter product has a higher retail value than a yellowish product.” 

Camacho conducted a study entitled “Jellyfish harvesting and processing: Its environmental implications in Malampaya Sound, Taytay, Palawan.”

The PCAMRD-monitored study determined the species of jellyfish harvested in the area and their fishing grounds; the conservation strategies of concerned authorities on jellyfish harvesting; the ecological relationships between juveniles of small pelagic (oceanic) fish to medusa (development) stage of jellyfish; the harvesting and processing of jellyfish; its economic importance and medicinal value to fisherfolk; and the quantity of processed dried jellyfish exported to other countries.

The study found that 1,471 fishermen, 125 women, and 132 children from seven coastal barangays in Malampaya Sound, with a population of 12,826, benefited from jellyfish harvesting and processing.

A family engaged in jellyfish harvesting can earn P150 to P200 a day. During the peak season from February to March, a motorboat with three to four crewmembers earns P500 to P800 a day, and an ordinary boat with one to two crewmembers, P400 to P500.

Six jellyfish species were identified. These are the lion’s mane (Lobonema smithi and Lobonema sp.), red jellyfish (Catostylus sp.), moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita and Aurelia sp.), and box jellyfish or sea wasp (Tripedalia sp.).

The lion’s mane species has high commercial value, while the red and moon jellyfish species have processing potentials but are not harvested because of their low qualities. Box jellyfish is considered the most dangerous because of its deadly stinging cells called nematocysts.

Results of the PSU study showed that the intensive harvesting of jellyfish has contributed to the decline in jellyfish production in Malampaya Sound.

Although the industry has benefited small fishermen in the area, the PSU recommended that management strategies for sustainable jellyfish resource utilization be formulated.