The Post-Harvest Handling Practices of Glass Eel in Aparri, Cagayan: Operations, Challenges, and Recommendations

This study documented the post-harvest handling of glass eel gatherers in Aparri, Cagayan, which can serve as baseline information for the establishment of possible management measures to improve the practices of glass eel gathering, conditioning, and maintenance for more sustainable utilization of the stocks and avoid large post-harvest losses in the process. The demographic profile, post-harvest handling practices, and challenges encountered in each step of post-harvest practices were determined. The study was conducted through individual interviews with 165 glass eel gatherers and five local consolidators. Results revealed that the age of respondents was between 41 and 50 years old. The majority are males, and most have reached the elementary or secondary level of education. Sorting by the gatherers is done through improvised sorters or manually and done at the collection site or at landing depending on the health of the glass eels. The local consolidators start conditioning glass eels upon delivery by the gatherers following various steps such as sorting, weighing, water exchange, packaging in plastic bags with oxygen, and storing them in Styrofoam boxes, done twice a day. Major challenges experienced by glass eel gatherers and local consolidators include uncontrolled price, insufficient supply or harvest, and high fuel and transportation costs hence, prize stabilization, involvement of key players in the industry for the better bargaining scheme and standard operating procedures in stock conditioning and maintenance are some aspects to consider to address the major issues and challenges.