Rustia, J.M.; Antonino, J.P.; Velasco, R.R.; Lima, M.A.; Yates, E.A.; Fernig, D.G. History and Prospects for the Sustainability and Circularity of the Windowpane Oyster Placuna placenta Fishery in the Philippines. Fishes2023, 8, 493.
Rustia, J.M.; Antonino, J.P.; Velasco, R.R.; Lima, M.A.; Yates, E.A.; Fernig, D.G. History and Prospects for the Sustainability and Circularity of the Windowpane Oyster Placuna placenta Fishery in the Philippines. Fishes 2023, 8, 493.
Rustia, J.M.; Antonino, J.P.; Velasco, R.R.; Lima, M.A.; Yates, E.A.; Fernig, D.G. History and Prospects for the Sustainability and Circularity of the Windowpane Oyster Placuna placenta Fishery in the Philippines. Fishes2023, 8, 493.
Rustia, J.M.; Antonino, J.P.; Velasco, R.R.; Lima, M.A.; Yates, E.A.; Fernig, D.G. History and Prospects for the Sustainability and Circularity of the Windowpane Oyster Placuna placenta Fishery in the Philippines. Fishes 2023, 8, 493.
Abstract
The windowpane oyster Placuna placenta, lives in brackish coastal waters and has long been economically important to the Philippines because of its durable and translucent shell, which is used as a glass substitute and material for making windowpanes and handicrafts. There has been considerable degradation of the windowpane oyster fishery in past decades. Moreover, there are waste and under-exploited by-products such as the meat, which though nutritious and edible, currently has a very low value; its use being confined to dishes consumed by families in the fishing community. Historically there are instances of excellent practice in terms of regulating the windowpane oyster fishery, while in recent times there have been local initiatives to restore this and to develop high value food products from the meat. These initiatives have, however, never been followed through at a provincial or national level. Research on other molluscs and marine organisms highlights that these also contain high value pharmaceutical products. This review compiles evidence to establish the groundwork for an essential and comprehensive multidisciplinary research program centred around the windowpane oyster, which would ensure a high value for all parts of the oyster, including those currently discarded. By fostering a sustainable and circular economy within this fishery sector and its associated industry, its economic value would be amplified. This is particularly important for oyster harvesters in the Philippines, who often find themselves at the economic ladder's lower rungs. By integrating the principles of a circular economy, this initiative would not only aim to uplift the economic prospects of these harvesters but in doing so would drive the restoration of the windowpane oyster to its former range.
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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