Mal J Nutr 23(2):Assessment 263- of277, Fish 2017 and Shellfish Consumption of Coastal Barangays, 263

Assessment of Fish and Shellfish Consumption of Coastal Barangays along the Marilao--Obando River System (MMORS), Philippines

Jennifer Marie S Amparo1&2, Ma Theresa M Talavera3, Aimee Sheree A Barrion3, Maria Emilinda T Mendoza1 & Marife B Dapito4

1 Department of Social Development Services, College of Human Ecology University of the Philippines Los Banos 2 Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University 3 Institute of Human Nutrition and Food, College of Human Ecology University of the Philippines Los Banos 4 Pure Earth Philippines (formerly Blacksmith Institute Philippines, Inc.)

ABSTRACT

Introduction Fishes and shellfish not only contribute to food and nutrition security but also to the livelihood of coastal communities in the Philippines. However, some fishing grounds are contaminated and health advisories against seafood consumption are issued, which may negatively affect the fishing communities’ livelihood. This study aimed to assess fish and shellfish consumption of households living in selected coastal barangays of the Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando River System (MMORS). The food systems framework was applied whereby fish and shellfish consumption and livelihoods were viewed as part of a larger food system. Methods: The study was conducted in five barangays of the MMORS. A total of 110 household respondents were selected based on systematic random sampling. Key informants were interviewed to determine fish farm production and distribution. The final questionnaire included questions on socio-demographic information, household consumption information on frequency of consumption of fishes and shellfishes, sources of produce, fish and shellfish preparation and cooking methods, and perceptions on the fish produce in the area. Data were encoded and tabulated while qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Fishes and shellfishes are grown in earth-diked fish ponds using river water or harvested along the river system. No post-harvest processing is done and harvests are directly sold in fish markets within the area or nearby towns depending on the price and size of harvests. Fish consumption in both areas is affected by taste, tradition, price, nutritional value, age, gender and intra-household roles, and is found to be higher compared to national levels in the Philippines. Conclusion: The feedback of health and nutrition advisories which are based on food consumption patterns to other food outcomes like livelihoods and ecological health were included in this study. Based on the findings, it is suggested that appropriate interventions should be implemented to balance food system outcomes.

Key words: Fish and shellfish consumption, fish farming, food system, food and nutrition security, health risk, river pollution

Correspondence: Jennifer Marie S Amparo; Email: [email protected]/ [email protected] 264 Jennifer Marie S Amparo, Ma Theresa M Talavera, Aimee Sheree A Barrion et al.

INTRODUCTION However, fisheries, which involve the Fish and its associated products contribute capture or raising of fish and other fishery to food and nutrition security worldwide. products (i.e. shellfishes like molluscs and Fish account for about 17% of animal crustaceans), remain the primary sources protein, and 6.7% of total food, consumed of livelihood and income to approximately by the global population (FAO, 2016: 71). 58 million people with 87% of fish and The annual per capita consumption of fish farmers residing in Asia (FAO, 2014). fish in South-east Asia, for instance grew Being an archipelagic tropical country, from 13.1kg in 1961 to 33.6kg in 2013 an estimated 1.5 million people are (FAO, 2016). Nutritionally, fish is a good employed in fisheries and aquaculture source of protein, omega 3 fatty acids and in the Philippines (FAO Fisheries and minerals. The Filipino diet consists of rice- Aquaculture Department, 2014). Thus, a fish-vegetables (FNRI-DOST, 2008). The delicate balance needs to be maintained Filipino households’ mean daily per capita among food and nutrition security, food consumption of fish and products ecological integrity, and health and well- remain higher than meat and products being of the population. (102g/day for fish and products compared In order to achieve this, health to 23g/day for meat and products in 1978; advisories that are based on fish and shellfish 104g/day for fish and products vs. 61g/ consumption must be viewed as part of day for meat and products) (Kennedy, a larger food system. This study aimed Nantel & Shetty, 2006). While fish is to assess fish and shellfish consumption nutritious, there is also a risk of consuming of households living in selected coastal fish from polluted water sources (Turyk barangays (communities) within the et al., 2012). Diet is the usual route for boundaries of the Marilao-Meycauayan- heavy metal ingestion by a population not Obando River System (MMORS) directly exposed to pollution (Yi, Yang & using the foods systems framework. Zhang, 2011) Specifically, it aimed to: (1) describe the As some fishing grounds in the socio-demographic characteristics of the Philippines were found to be contaminated, households and ecological conditions of health advisories against the consumption the two coastal sites; (2) examine fish and of certain fish species were issued (Molina shellfish consumption as part of the food et al., 2011). In developed countries, system activities (including production, heavy metal and other persistent organic processing, distribution /marketing); contamination in waterways and biota are and, (3) determine the impacts of these regularly monitored to guide public health activities particularly of fish and shellfish advisories. In developing countries, like consumption on food and nutrition the Philippines, current health advisories security. are released based on the presence of paralytic shellfish poisoning, warnings METHODS in consuming puffer fishes, and safety Study area of fishes from disaster-stricken areas. The study was conducted in two coastal The present way of communicating food municipalities in (Figure 1). Three contamination in the Philippines is limited fishing barangays in Meycauayan and two due to lack of financial resources, lack of barangays in Obando, all in the province technical personnel, and avoidance of of Bulacan, Philippines were included in possible unintended negative impact on the study using cluster sampling design. the livelihood of the fisher folk as well as The five barangays are located within the food and nutrition security. boundaries of the Marilao-Meycauayan- Assessment of Fish and Shellfish Consumption of Coastal Barangays, Philippines 265

Figure 1. Location map of Meycauayan and Obando, Bulacan, Philippines Sources: Philippines map(CartoGIS); MMORS Map (David, 2011)

Obando River System (MMORS). The criteria were those living within 100 meters MMORS is home to a number of fish from the MMORS and had been staying farms commonly located in its mid and at least 15 days of the month in the area downstream areas of the river. However, to establish potential risk of exposure the river system is polluted as its surface to possibly consuming fish products water and sediments exceed heavy metal contaminated with heavy metals, and had and other water quality monitoring safe at least two members of the household who standards (Blacksmith Institute, 2009). were either women of reproductive age, Household, commercial and industrial children or senior citizens. The primary wastes are indiscriminately dumped in the respondents were those in-charge of the river, which eventually drains to fishponds household’s food purchase, preparation downstream towards Bay. In 2008, and budgeting. A total of 110 household the MMORS was declared a water quality heads served as study respondents. management area (WQMA) to consolidate efforts to rehabilitate and clean up the river Data collection system (Blacksmith Institute, 2009). Primary data were collected using household surveys and key informant Study participants and sampling interviews. The survey questionnaire was For fish farm production and distribution, reviewed by a technical consultant and nine fishpond operators and seven fish pre-tested on selected household heads vendors in Meycauayan City and Obando in a fishing community near Laguna de served as key informants based on the Bay. The final questionnaire, with inputs recommendation of the local agricultural from the pre-testing, included questions officers and their willingness to participate on socio-demographic information, in the research. For fish and shellfish household consumption information on consumption, systematic random sampling the frequency of consumption of fishes was applied in the selection of households and shellfishes, sources of produce, fish from Meycauayan and Obando. Inclusion and shellfish preparation and cooking 266 Jennifer Marie S Amparo, Ma Theresa M Talavera, Aimee Sheree A Barrion et al.

Figure 2. Food Systems Framework (Ericksen, 2008: 239) methods, and perceptions on fish produce Frequencies, means and percentages in the area. The survey was administered were utilised to analyse the data by enumerators who were trained by the collected through the survey. As for the research officers to ensure reliability of consumption component of this survey, the gathered information. The key informants estimated average daily consumption was provided information on production and determined by multiplying the weight in distribution patterns of fish and shellfish in grams of fish and shellfish with the number the case areas. A semi-structured interview or pieces consumed and the frequency schedule guided the interviewers who of intake then dividing the product by took down notes during the conversation. the number of days in a week. The FNRI Consent to participate was solicited from (Food and Nutrition Research Institute) all survey respondents and key informants Food Exchange List (FNRI/DOST, 1994) prior to the interviews. The respondents was used to estimate the weight in grams and interviewees were provided an option of fish and shellfish given the size of to withdraw from the research anytime in edible portions (EP). The “cooked-to-raw” the course of the interview. weight conversion factors in the Philippine Composition Table (FNRI 1997) was Data analysis employed to compare the gathered EP data The food systems framework developed with the national consumption stated as in by Ericksen (2008)(Figure 2) was used to the purchase (AP) form. assess fish and shellfish consumption in the The key informants’ interview two case sites. It focused on components of transcriptions were analysed thematically food systems specifically the food systems and incorporated in the research discussion. activities and food systems outcomes such MS Excel 10 and SPSS 10 were used to as food security. We used this framework encode and analyse the survey data. to illustrate that food consumption must be understood within the larger social- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ecological context with other food activities This section is discussed based on the affecting food systems and its outcomes. following specific research objectives: Assessment of Fish and Shellfish Consumption of Coastal Barangays, Philippines 267

(1) characterisation of the ecological and Obando (47.5%) belong to the age group social-demographic system-of-interest; of 18 to 59 years old, followed by school- (2) discussion of fish and shellfish system age children who are 6-12 years old (16.6%, activities in the case sites- from production, 24.2%). The majority of adults are single processing and packaging, distribution (56.5%, 71.9%). A considerable percentage and food consumption; and, (3) description of household members in the two areas had of food system activities particularly fish only elementary education (25.6%, 28.6%), and shellfish consumption impact on food which may be attributed to the significant system outcomes focusing on food and number unemployed in Meycauayan nutrition security specifically utilisation, (25.6%) and Obando (22.8%). Most of the access, and availability of fish and shellfish families lived below the poverty line with in the case communities. a household income of only USD 100 to USD 200 per month (30.9%, 40.0%), which State of water quality and fish and is below or just enough to provide the shellfishes in the research sites minimum basic needs of the family. Based Fishes such as milkfish(Chanos chanos) and on the National Statistical Coordination tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and some Board (NSCB), a family of five needs prawns (Penaeus monodon) are traditionally roughly a little more than USD150 to buy grown in modular fishponds along the the minimum food and non-food needs Meycauayan and Obando Rivers. The river per month (NSO, 2013). Some of the system drains into Manila Bay where most households in Meycauayan (27.3%) were of the molluscs such as mussels (Perna within the average household size of five canaliculus) and oysters (Crassostrea gigas) while Obando households had household are caught and harvested near the mouth members of six (29.1%) (Table 1). of the downstream river system of Obando. The majority of the fishponds in Bulacan Fish and shellfish production are brackish water fishponds (94.04% out Earth-diked fishponds are traditionally of the 12,419.36 hectares) (BFAR Region found in Meycauayan and Obando. The 3, 2013). The river serves as the source of river water is diverted into a holding pond water supply for these fishponds. where it remains for at least two days to Based on regular water quality help sediment settle before mixing it in the monitoring of the Department of rearing pond module. Fish farmers prefer Environment and Natural Resources - this water since they can regulate the Environment Management Bureau (DENR- inflow and quality of river water entering EMB), some heavy metals were found to the fishponds. Small-scale fish farmers (<5 exceed local water quality standards. In hectares) do not use other water treatment the 2008 biota sampling, some seafood like technologies, other than the settling pond milkfish, mussels and oysters had elevated (Malenab et al., 2014) levels of heavy metals (Blacksmith Based on interviews with fish farm Institute, 2009). operators, most of the traditional earth dikes have been replaced with fishnets Socio-demographic characteristics of since repairing dikes are expensive and households labour intensive. The increasing intensity of The majority of the household members in typhoons, frequent flooding and stronger Meycauayan City are female (53.9%) while tidal flow also increase the risk of dikes there are more male household members being washed out and destroyed. The fish in Obando (52.8%). Most of the household pens with nets are more vulnerable to poor members in Meycauayan (50.1%) and water quality and farmed fishes compete 268 Jennifer Marie S Amparo, Ma Theresa M Talavera, Aimee Sheree A Barrion et al.

Table 1. Profile of households surveyed from Meycauayan and Obando, Bulacan

Characteristics Meycauayan City Obando

No. % No. %

Sex Male 145 46.0 168 52.8 Female 170 53.9 150 47.2 Age and physiological status Infant (0-6 mos.) 1 1.3 0 0 Young child (7 mos.-2 yrs.) 3 6.1 3 4.7 Pre-school (3-5 yrs.) 2 3.5 4 7.9 School Age (6-12 yrs.) 9 16.6 13 24.2 Adolescents (13-17 yrs.) 5 9.3 5 8.8 Adults (18-59 yrs.) 28 50.1 26 47.5 Pregnant 0 0.3 0 0.3 Lactating 1 1.3 0 0 Elderly (60 yrs. and above) 6 11.5 4 6.6 Civil Status Single 31 56.54 40 71.95 Married 22 39.94 14 25.34 Widow/er 1 2.24 1 1.13 Separated 1 1.28 1 1.58 Educational attainment No formal education 2 2.9 1 1.87 Primary level 1 2.56 2 4.09 Elementary level 14 25.56 16 28.62 Elementary graduate 10 17.89 5 8.81 High school level 7 13.42 9 16.35 High school graduate 8 15.02 7 12.58 College level 2 4.15 6 10.38 College graduate 4 7.35 3 5.35 Vocational 2 4.15 1 2.20 Below school age 4 7.00 5 9.75 Occupation Employed 40 12.73 28 8.77 Self-employed 34 10.91 56 17.54 Unemployed 80 25.45 73 22.81 Informal sector workers 23 7.27 17 5.26 Below working age (below 18 y.o) 115 36.36 134 42.11 Senior citizen 23 7.27 11 3.51 Monthly household income PhP 5,000 and below (USD 100 and below) 13 23.64 12 21.82 PhP 5,001-15,000 (USD 101 - 300) 26 47.27 28 50.91 PhP 15,001-25,000 (USD 301 - 500) 11 20.00 9 16.36 PhP 25,001 and above (USD 501 and above) 3 5.45 5 9.09 No regular income 2 3.64 1 1.82 Household size 4 HH members and below 15 27.27 17 30.91 5-8 HH members 37 67.27 33 60.00 9 HH members and above 3 5.45 5 9.09 Assessment of Fish and Shellfish Consumption of Coastal Barangays, Philippines 269 for food with other fishes normally found of the harvest and current fish price in in the river. To adapt to these changes, the market. Higher harvest volumes are fish farmers intensify production (i.e. delivered to larger ports like Hagonoy and increasing inputs like fingerlings, feeds), and urban cities in changing the timing and frequency of fish (, Malabon, Navotas, Novaliches, farming cycles, and exploring other fish and Valenzuela) while farming sites. smaller harvests are sold in local markets Fish feeding practices are vital in fish of Obando and Meycauayan. production in these farms. The common The fish and shellfish from different fish feeds used by the small-scale fishpond areas are usually mixed together at the fish operators include dried stale bread ports depending on size and type. Thus, (“crisp pops”), moss and micro-benthos it is difficult to segregate produce from composed of blue algae, diatoms and other specific sources when they are already sold microscopic plants and animals (locally in the market. Other sources of fish and called lablab) including dried noodles and shellfish include shrimps and prawns from rice hull. Medium and large-scale fishpond the Visayas region, bangus from Dagupan, operators use commercial fish feeds Pangasinan and , and tilapia (Malenab et al., 2014). from Batangas. From the big ports and markets, the Processing and packaging fish and produce are sold to smaller retailers. Some shellfish of the market vendors sell fish and shellfish Fishes and shellfish are harvested after to other retailers who in turn re-sell it to 3-4 months depending on the season and small wet markets in other barangays market price. There are commonly 2-3 of Meycauayan, Marilao, and Obando fish farm cycles per year – from fishpond in Bulacan. The market vendors who preparation to fish harvest. Fish and were interviewed stated that they have shellfish processing and packaging are buyers who sell/distribute it directly to not done and post-harvest facilities are households (“lako”). not available in both case sites. Fresh fish The head of the family usually does the harvests are sold directly to the market. marketing. Sometimes the older children Thus, fish farm operators need to sell are assigned to do the marketing in the immediately upon harvest. Severe weather absence of the parents. The households conditions increase the risk of spoilage and usually go to their regular market vendor. wastage. Since no value adding is made in The price of the fish and shellfish commonly fish harvest, fishers only command a lower dictates what the local consumers purchase. selling price compared to traders and According to the key informants, retailers. milkfish and tilapia are the two major fish species grown in the fish farms in the area. Distributing and retailing fish and For the molluscs, green mussels are the shellfish major shellfish available in Meycauayan On harvesting the fish and shellfish, while oyster is frequently available in fishpond operators bring the fresh produce Obando. Table 2 shows that the commonly to the nearest market where intermediaries bought fish in the public wet market are (consignacion) facilitate the transaction milkfish(Chanos chanos) (70% Meycauayan, to wholesalers and retailers. Generally, 27.0% Obando) and tilapia (O. Niloticus) the point of distribution of the fishes and (52.4% Meycauayan, 28.9% Obando) shellfish is within and outside the province including prawns (P. monodon) (19.2% of Bulacan depending on the volume Meycauayan, 9.4% Obando). As for green 270 Jennifer Marie S Amparo, Ma Theresa M Talavera, Aimee Sheree A Barrion et al. 1.64 3.28 1.64 3.28 3.64 9.09 3.64 3.64 0.00 0.00 0.00 Obando (%) 14.75 19.67 14.75 26.23 14.75 14.75 25.45 10.91 12.73 10.91 20.00 Oysters 2.47 9.88 0.00 0.00 8.64 8.64 0.00 0.00 6.90 8.62 5.17 3.45 0.00 1.72 0.00 Meyc (%) 32.10 38.27 17.24 10.34 10.34 10.34 25.86 9.43 2.83 1.89 0.00 0.00 8.49 4.72 0.00 1.75 3.51 3.51 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.75 1.75 0.00 3.51 Obando (%) 27.36 45.28 12.28 71.93 Prawns 1.28 0.00 0.00 0.00 8.97 1.28 2.56 3.45 1.72 1.72 6.90 5.17 1.72 3.45 3.45 0.00 0.00 19.23 15.38 51.28 13.79 58.62 Meyc 6.84 8.55 0.85 1.71 0.00 1.71 8.47 6.78 8.47 8.47 1.69 0.00 0.00 0.00 10.26 13.68 11.11 45.30 22.03 10.17 10.17 23.73 Obando (%) Mussels 2.47 4.94 0.00 0.00 3.70 4.94 0.00 1.23 9.09 9.09 1.82 3.64 3.64 1.82 0.00 Meyc (%) 48.15 34.57 12.73 10.91 16.36 12.73 18.18 1.45 0.00 4.35 1.45 1.45 0.00 6.67 8.33 8.33 6.67 1.67 3.33 0.00 0.00 0.00 28.99 24.64 17.39 20.29 31.67 18.33 15.00 Obando (%) Tilapia 4.76 4.76 0.00 0.00 1.59 0.00 0.00 0.00 8.20 1.64 3.28 3.28 0.00 0.00 Source of Fishand Shellfish Meyc 52.38 12.70 23.81 18.03 11.48 19.67 16.39 18.03 1.35 0.00 1.35 1.35 0.00 6.67 0.00 1.67 0.00 0.00 0.00 27.03 22.97 14.86 17.57 13.51 23.33 11.67 13.33 13.33 10.00 20.00 Obando (%) Milkfish 2.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 8.00 2.00 0.00 0.00 5.00 8.33 3.33 3.33 0.00 0.00 0.00 70.00 18.00 21.67 23.33 10.00 11.67 13.33 Meyc (%) Sources and reasons for purchase of fishes shellfishes in Meycauayan Obando, Bulacan, Philippines Public wet Market Small farmers’ markets Door-to-door delivery Delivered by institutional seller Supermarket Own Harvest Given by neighbours Caught from nearby fishponds Others Not applicable Reasons for buying fish and shellfish Delicious Tradition Cheap Nutritious Easily available choice (“I just like it”) Household member like it To be different For special occasions/events Favourite Others Not applicable Table 2. Categories Assessment of Fish and Shellfish Consumption of Coastal Barangays, Philippines 271 mussels (P. canaliculus) and oysters (C. frequency of consumption with fishing gigas), only the respondents in Meycauayan communities located in the two case areas. got their supply in the public wet market Obando is nearer Manila bay, which (48.1% green mussels, 32.1% oysters) since has greater access to shellfish growing most of the residents in Obando harvested grounds. In general, the estimated average these shellfish from the bay (13.7% green daily consumption of milkfish and tilapia mussels, 26.2% oysters). in Meycauayan and Obando (253g and Based on the household survey, factors 228g respectively) is higher compared to such as taste, cultural tradition, price the national average of 110g/day (FNRI- and perceived nutritional value of fish DOST, 2008). The consumption rate of and shellfish affect the purchase of these fish and fish products in the study areas produce. Taste serves as the primary factor is higher compared to the mean one day in the consumption of shellfish like prawns per capita fish consumption of people and oysters in the two areas. Some (23.3%) from Western Visayas (128 g/day) and of the respondents from Meycauayan Zamboanga (119 g/day), two fish farm eat milkfish because they are used to producing provinces in the Philippines. it. The relative cheap prices have led to Several factors affect consumption respondents eating mussels in Obando of fish and shellfish in the household (22.03%) and tilapia in Meycauayan such as demographic characteristics and (19.67%). Some (16.34%) respondents from other socio-economic factors including Meycauayan eat green mussels because it nutritional considerations. Intra- is deemed nutritious. household allocation differs depending on age, gender, and household role. Older Consumption of fish and shellfish household members tend to eat more Table 3 shows that milkfish (Chanos fish and shellfish compared to younger chanos) is eaten several times a week in household members. Perceived nutritional both study sites (52.20% Meycauayan and benefits of fish also affect the consumption 50.28% Obando). Tilapia (M. oreochromis) is pattern of respondents in the two case sites. frequently eaten in Meycauayan (51.25%) The majority (56.06%) of the respondents compared to Obando, where it is commonly in both Meycauayan City and some eaten once a week (39.84%). Shellfish (42.25%) in Obando consume fish and consumption in Obando is more frequent shellfish because they believe that these are compared to Meycauayan. Mussels (P. nutritious. They also perceive fish to be a canaliculus) and oysters (C. gigas) are eaten healthier protein alternative due to lesser several times a week in Obando (26.48% cholesterol (13.64%, 19.72%) and these are and 30.62%, respectively). The estimated cheaper compared to regular meats like average consumption per week of milkfish beef, pork, and chicken (10.61%, 18.31%). (253.6g) and tilapia (228.5g) is higher in However, some negative perceptions on Meycauayan compared to Obando (98.2g shellfishes include its high cholesterol and 90.9g, respectively) while shellfish level contributing to hypertension and consumption is higher in the latter (40.4g difficulty in eating due to fish bones and for mussels; 20.7g for oyster) compared to shells. The respondents did not identify Meycauayan (9.5g and 7.6g, respectively). possible contamination of fish and shellfish The average consumption per week of harvested from the river and fishponds prawns by respondents from Meycauayan along the river systems as a health risk (13.8g) is relatively higher compared factor. to Obando (6.3g). The availability and The proper preparation and cooking access to fish and shellfish may affect the methods of fishes significantly reduce 272 Jennifer Marie S Amparo, Ma Theresa M Talavera, Aimee Sheree A Barrion et al. - 30.62 15.46 10.14 2.51 3.82 17.27 3.21 16.97 47.27 49.09 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Obando (%) Oysters 10.92 17.03 19.34 4.21 0.00 6.71 0.90 40.88 43.64 29.09 5.45 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Meyc (%) 2.50 7.21 15.12 2.20 0.30 8.51 10.31 53.85 32.73 14.55 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Obando (%) Prawns 1.91 5.12 31.70 0.30 0.60 5.72 6.60 48.04 28.07 31.58 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Meyc

26.48 20.76 6.92 6.62 5.02 14.14 2.10 17.95 50.00 44.64 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Obando (%) Mussels 9.90 16.60 19.50 2.90 0.90 14.70 1.60 33.90 54.55 29.09 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Meyc (%) 35.74 39.84 8.41 0.60 1.20 10.21 0.30 3.70 92.86 5.36 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Obando (%) Tilapia Frequency of Consumption 51.25 13.14 0.90 2.81 14.64 11.13 0.00 6.12 98.18 1.82 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Meyc Preparation and Processing of fish shellfish 50.28 28.68 2.92 0.28 6.98 6.42 0.00 4.43 83.93 5.36 0.00 1.79 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Obando (%) Milkfish 52.20 7.01 0.30 1.30 13.13 16.53 1.60 7.92 59.76 1.22 6.10 4.88 6.10 3.66 4.88 3.66 Meyc (%) Fish and shellfish consumption patterns in Meycauayan and Obando, Bulacan, Philippines: Consumption frequency, processing and prepa and processing frequency, Consumption Philippines: Bulacan, Obando, and Meycauayan in patterns consumption shellfish and Fish (once to thrice per year) internal organs before cooking its original form in its raw form Several times in a week Once weekly Once monthly Once daily Several times in a day Several times in a month Occasional in a year Not eating fish or shellfish Scaled and remove the Washed and cooked in Cleaned but consumed Drying (dinadaing) Canning (de-lata) Bottling (Binote) Stuffed fish (relleno) Smoked fish (tinapa) Table 3. Table ration, cooking methods, and commonly consumed parts Categories Assessment of Fish and Shellfish Consumption of Coastal Barangays, Philippines 273 Obando 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.64 41.43 1.43 21.43 35.71 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.94 0.00 82.08 16.98 (%) Oysters Meyc 0.00 0.00 0.00 21.82 35.56 0.00 2.22 62.22 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.28 0.00 57.19 41.53 (%) Obando 0.00 0.00 0.00 52.73 44.82 10.34 31.04 13.80 0.00 0.00 0.00 19.18 0.00 27.04 53.77 (%) Prawns Meyc 0.00 0.00 0.00 40.35 35.13 10.81 48.64 5.42 0.00 0.00 0.96 27.80 0.96 22.36 47.92 Obando (%) 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.36 30.31 28.79 37.87 3.03 2.19 0.00 0.00 0.31 0.00 79.62 17.87 Mussels Meyc (%) 0.00 0.00 0.00 16.36 29.41 7.85 56.86 5.88 1.92 0.00 0.00 0.64 1.28 59.42 36.74 Obando (%) 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.79 21.62 63.52 13.51 1.35 2.81 8.75 3.44 27.19 7.50 46.56 3.75 Tilapia Meyc 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 26.83 62.19 6.10 4.88 4.67 7.17 2.18 23.99 12.15 43.93 5.92 Cooking methods used to prepare fish and shellfish Parts of the fish and shellfish commonly consumed Obando (%) 0.00 0.00 7.14 1.79 48.36 41.76 6.59 3.30 19.88 33.13 5.12 21.08 7.83 8.43 4.52 Milkfish Meyc (%) 3.66 3.66 0.00 2.44 37.04 42.59 9.26 11.12 20.37 23.46 3.40 23.15 10.19 11.42 8.02 grilled, ceviche, etc.) Categories Corned and dried fish (tuyo) Minced fish(giniling) others Not applicable Boiled Fried Saute Others (broil, steam, bake, Head Belly Tail Body Any part All parts Not consuming 274 Jennifer Marie S Amparo, Ma Theresa M Talavera, Aimee Sheree A Barrion et al. possible toxicants particularly by tilapia, green mussels, and oysters are removing the skin, internal organs and most commonly eaten. Consumers may fatty portions (Mahaffey et al., 2011). be at risk of ingesting heavy metals from Heavy metals accumulate in many eating the fatty parts and internal organs of important internal organs – most often the contaminated fish and shellfish. Most heavy highest concentration of heavy metals is metals bind on fatty tissues and are carried found in fish liver, kidney and gills (Smith by the blood stream to storage points. & Guentzel, 2010). Scaling and removing Pollutants are transformed in the liver and the internal organs before cooking is may be stored there or excreted in bile or common in households from both areas transported to other excretory organs such in the preparation of milkfish and tilapia. as gills or kidneys for elimination or stored The shells of mussels are also removed in fat, which is an extra hepatic tissue before cooking. Scaling and removing (Ekeanyanwu, Ogbuinyi & Etienajirhevwe, the internal organs before cooking is the 2010). most common way of processing milkfish (59.8%, 83.9%) and tilapia (98.2%, 92.9%) Food system outcomes: Food and nutrition in Meycauayan and Obando, respectively. security Furthermore, household heads in Mey- Fish farming has a long-standing cauayan and Obando also have the same contribution to local income and livelihood practice of processing mussels where as well as food and nutrition security the meat is removed first from the shells of the two case sites, according to the before it is cooked (54.5%, 50.0%). They key informants. The fish and shellfish differ however, in the way they prepare consumption frequency and pattern in prawns and oysters. Prawns are usually Meycauayan and Obando are reflective of cooked with shell (31.6%) in Meycauayan the major livelihood in coastal barangays, while it is mostly peeled (separating the which is fish and shellfish production. shells from the meat) (32.7%) in Obando. However, the current fish and shellfish Oysters, however, are frequently cooked in food systems in the two case sites will also its original form (49.09%) in Obando while affect food availability in other nearby areas respondents in Meycauayan (43.6%) are where their produce are also distributed used to removing the shells before cooking. and sold. The most common cooking method is In terms of food utilisation, food safety frying and boiling as shown in Table 3. In is a major concern in the current food Meycauayan, the most common methods of system practices particularly in the fish cooking both milkfish or bangus and tilapia farm production practices. The use of the are frying (42.6%, 62.2%) and boiling (37.0%, polluted river water in fishponds increases 26.8%). It is almost the same in Obando, the risk of exposure of the consuming the difference being boiling coming first public to heavy metals. There is a as the most common method for cooking positive correlation between heavy metal milkfish or bangus (47.8%) followed by concentrations in the water and in fish frying (41.3%.). Green mussels, prawns and caught or harvested in the contaminated oysters are often boiled, sautéed or cooked waters (Ekeanyanwu et al., 2010). The by pouring hot water over the raw shellfish practice of mixing fish imports and in Meycauayan and Obando. produce from different sources will make The preferred parts to be eaten depend it difficult to monitor the possible source on the type of fish and shellfish. The belly and impacts of a contaminated batch of (23.5% in Meycauayan, 33.1% in Obando) fish or shellfish. In addition, the practice of milkfish and all the meat parts of of using commercial feeds was found to Assessment of Fish and Shellfish Consumption of Coastal Barangays, Philippines 275 lower the nutritional value particularly This paper shows that the use of the food of the essential Omega 3 in farmed fish system framework can situate fish and (Chowdhury et al., 2012). The small-scale shellfish consumption in a more holistic fish farmers’ practice of using moss and frame and highlight the interplay of food micro-benthos (i.e. blue algae, diatoms) systems activities and its outcomes like are more favourable to promote Omega 3 food and nutrition security. Thus, if fish levels in fish grown in fishponds. consumption studies are used as inputs Fish and shellfish farming in the two to health and nutrition advisories released case sites have promoted food access to by health and government agencies, the these products. For instance, households feedback of these advisories to other food commonly source their shellfish in Obando system outcomes such as community from their own harvests (Table 2). Daily livelihoods and ecological health must be per capita fish and shellfish consumption considered. In order to manage multiple in the two case sites are more than twice food and nutrition outcomes, several higher compared to the national standards interventions at different scales and key and even compared to other fish producing sectors are vital (Ericksen et al., 2010). For regions like Western Visayas and this case study, to reduce health risks from Zamboanga. As discussed earlier, tilapia possible heavy metal contamination of and mussels are cheaper and affordable in fish produce and ensure quality nutrition, these coastal areas. For example, the 2015 interventions must be introduced at the national average retail price of tilapia was level of controlling pollution at source, fish 86.49 pesos/kilo (USD 1.7/kilo) compared farm management level, actual household to 70-74 pesos/kilo (USD1.4/kilo) in the consumption pattern, and distribution of study sites. Access to fish and shellfish fish products. produce has affected their preferred taste Specific recommendations include and perceived nutritional value of the provision of incentives and capacity produce in their area. building of fishers and fisher organisations Aquaculture has been promoted in to adopt sustainable aquaculture the global development arena as a poverty practices to reduce contamination risk alleviation strategy to ensure income and increase fish nutritional value, and and food security (Troell et al., 2014). for point sources of pollution to adopt However, it also has a negative effect cleaner production processes. Other on the ecosystem services of the water measures are (i) conducting targeted fish body through pollution, changes in fish and shellfish monitoring and testing; diversity, and mangrove forest conversion (ii) sustained local health surveillance to for aquaculture (Pelletier & Tyedmers, guide regular local health, nutrition and 2010). These in turn pose significant risk consumption advisories; and (iv) long to the sustainability of food and nutrition term epidemiological health and nutrition security in the area and nearby towns studies to show impact of fish and shellfish depending on fish and shellfish production consumption in the area. of the two areas. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS CONCLUSION AND Blacksmith Institute (now Pure Earth) RECOMMENDATIONS provided the funding for the research “Fish Food consumption is an integral and Shellfish Consumption Study and component of food and nutrition security, Vulnerabilities to Heavy Metal Exposure which is also one of the main outcomes of of Community Residents near the MMO any dynamic and complex food systems. River System” under its project “Clean 276 Jennifer Marie S Amparo, Ma Theresa M Talavera, Aimee Sheree A Barrion et al. the Meycauayan-Marilao-Obando River FAO (2014). The State of World Fisheries and System” implemented in 2008-2009. Aquaculture. Retrieved from http://www. fao.org/3/a-i3720e.pdf Conflict of interest FAO (2016). The State of World Fisheries The authors have no conflict of interest in and Aquaculture: Contributing to Food this paper and research. Security and Nutrition for All. 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