WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • MARCH 2026 21 (CONTINUED ON PAGE 22) in cultural heritage, these practices now pose ecological risks that directly affect the health and sustainability of local crustacean populations. The bumbun (Figure 8) is a fish aggregating device constructed from mangrove branches, particularly Sonneratia alba (locally known as palapat), placed in riverbeds to attract aquatic organisms. While serving as passive traps, the construction and frequent harvesting of bumbun structures have led to the degradation of mangrove forests, which are critical nursery habitats for juvenile crustaceans (DENR PENRO Pampanga and LGU Sasmuan, 2015). The reduction in mangrove cover compromises sediment stabilization and nutrient cycling, essential for the survival and growth of crustacean species. Field observations indicate that continued extraction of mangrove biomass not only undermines sediment stability and nutrient cycling, but also exposes early-stage crustaceans to predation and environmental stress, thereby lowering their recruitment success and survival. The sudsud (Figure 9) technique involves manually disturbing and scraping the mudflats to collect benthic organisms, including crabs and shells. This practice causes significant physical disruption to the benthic environment, destroying burrows and habitats essential for crustacean life cycles. Additionally, it increases water turbidity and suspended sediments, leading to reduced oxygen levels and further stressing aquatic life (Municipality of Sasmuan, 2023). Such disturbances can impair the reproductive success and survival rates of crustacean populations. This method represents one of the most immediate threats to benthic crustaceans, particularly in shallow estuarine zones where habitat recovery is slow and recruitment windows are narrow. Pasabal (Figure 10) refers to fish corrals or fences constructed across estuarine passages to trap aquatic organisms during tidal movements. These structures can obstruct the natural migratory routes of estuarine-dependent species, including various crustaceans, disrupting their life cycles and reducing reproductive success. The indiscriminate trapping of both target and non-target species, including gravid females, exacerbates the decline in crustacean populations (DENR PENRO Pampanga and LGU Sasmuan, 2015). The ecological toll of pasabal is evident as the crustacean population structures are shifting, with fewer mature individuals and disrupted spawning cycles now documented in long-term community catch records. Cumulative Ecological Impact and Conservation Urgency The combined effects of these traditional fishing practices have led to habitat degradation, reduced biodiversity, and declining crustacean stocks in Sasmuan’s coastal wetlands. This overexploitation of crustacean species, particularly mud crabs, mirrors a broader national concern documented in other regions of the Philippines (Jumawan et al., 2021). Compounding these challenges, the presence of microplastics in marine environments, resulting from inadequate waste management, poses further threats to marine life, including crustaceans, through physical harm and the introduction of toxic substances into the food chain (de la Cruz and Cordova, 2018). From a research and management standpoint, the convergence of habitat destruction, reproductive disruption, and chemical stressors presents a multifaceted crisis that demands urgent, community-integrated interventions. Unless these traditional harvesting methods are re-evaluated and replaced with ecologically sound alternatives, the long-term viability of both the crustacean stocks and the aquaculture economy they support remains at high risk. Effects of Anthropogenic Threats in Biological Physiology of Crustaceans Nestled within the rich estuarine landscape of the SPCW lies a complex and fragile ecosystem where crustaceans, particularly shrimp and mud crabs, form the lifeblood of both biodiversity and local economies (Figure 11). These species are not just staples in the market; they are ecological barometers, revealing the health or decline of the habitats they call home. Among the most economically and ecologically significant inhabitants of SPCW are the white shrimp (Penaeus indicus), black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), and the mud crab species Scylla serrata, S. tranquebarica, and S. olivacea. These crustaceans thrive in brackish waters, using the region’s once-thriving mangrove forests as breeding, nursery, and feeding grounds (Le Vay, 2001; FAO, 2019). Shrimp of the Penaeus genus are lauded for their rapid growth, adaptability to varying salinities, and high reproductive rates (Chan et al., 2021; Rahi et al., 2021); while Scylla species are well-known estuarine dwellers that burrow into mudflats, feed FIGURE 9. Sudsud: An artisanal benthic trawl net used by local fishers. While often used to catch benthic shrimps and crabs, sustainable use of the sudsud net can help maintain population levels in wild stocks important to aquaculture. Photo: H.N. Gasmen. FIGURE 10. A traditional pasabal (fish corral) constructed across a tidal channel in Sasmuan. While culturally significant, these fixed fishing structures obstruct migratory pathways of crustaceans and other estuarine species, contributing to population declines and ecosystem imbalance. Photo credit: K.P. Taguberi.
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