As an initial step in commercializing its marine-based food products in local and national markets, the MMSU College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology (CASAT) launched the Marine-Based Products Development Center (MBPDC) on Sept. 4 with US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg as guest of honor.

Goldberg opened an exhibit at the CASAT cottage and proceeded to the multipurpose hall where a short program was held. He also visited various project sites and laboratories across the campus.

In his message, the ambassador expressed awe at the sight of the delectable food products made from seaweeds and fish. “I am delighted to see all of these foods, especially the seaweed pie,” he said, adding that it tasted like his favorite pumpkin pie in the US.

The ambassador remarked that MMSU’s efforts in marine research is “a great thing worth supporting because of the continued threats that marine species are currently facing due to degradation and pollution.”

“The Philippine ocean today has increased its acidity due to chemical treatments, unabated fishing practices, illegal fishing using poison and dynamites,” Goldberg noted, adding that in MMSU’s efforts to mitigate environmental degradation and climate change, “the US government will always be your ally.”

Meanwhile, Prof. Andres Y. Tungpalan, CASAT dean, said the MBPDC also serves as training center that will empower those who would adopt the appropriate fishery technologies for livelihood and resources sustainability.

What is now MBPDC used to be a simple research facility established in 2000 with the support of DOST. It served as a venue for students who were fond of preparing simple recipes from drifted seaweeds collected along the shorelines of Brgy. Gaang in Currimao, Ilocos Norte.

Over the years, the students were able to improve the product formulations of the different recipes which, later on, became adaptable among households in the locality. Today, the MBPDC staff have expanded their role by offering trainings to those living in the coastal areas who want to develop fish and seaweed recipes for livelihood.

Though MBPDC was formally launched only during the ambassador’s visit, it has, according to Tungpalan, already trained more than a hundred people in Ilocos Norte, especially those in Brgy. Gaang and in some areas in Pagudpud.” The dean said many fishing groups are requesting for the services of the CASAT in terms of indigenous marine products utilization.

One unique effort of the MBPDC staff is not only the development of food products from marine and aquatic resources, but also the improvement of food preparation through value-adding products.

“Aside from these, we are also promoting the proper harvesting of raw materials in natural habitats and the adoption of appropriate technologies in the culturing of seaweeds and invertebrates,” Tungpalan explained.

Moreover, the students have published a prototype recipe book on various marine-based food products which is intended for those who want to engage in small-scale food business.

Meanwhile, MMSU President Miriam E. Pascua encouraged CASAT students to fine tune their skills in food preparation so they would have profitable livelihood once they graduate  even as Tungpalan revealed  that their graduates already have a higher employment rate compared to other colleges in the university.

Food products developed at MMSU-CASAT are dried sea cucumber, noodles with sea urchin flavoring, seaweed chips, polvoron (powdered milk candy) with seaweeds as major ingredient, seaweed pickles, seaweed bukayo, noodles enriched with seaweeds or duckweed, food products from fish such as siomai (dumpling), siopao (steamed bun), empanadita (stuffed pastry), fish longganisa (fish sausage), shanghai rolls, and embotido                            (fish meatloaf), and pastries—such as pies, tarts, cupcakes, otap (puff pastry)—among others.

The ambassador also attended a forum-dialogue with the MMSU community the next day, Sept. 5.

Golberg’s predecessor, Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, also visited MMSU on Aug. 24, 2012.