Tahong 2024 2021

| Year | Total Advisories Issued | Total Bays Fully Closed | Total Bays Under “Conditionally Open”* | |------|------------------------|-------------------------|----------------------------------------| | 2021 | 27 | 12 | 2 | | 2024 | 19 (Jan–Sept) | 8 | 2 |

*Conditionally open = mussels safe for 2 hours of boiling only; not for raw or half-cooked.

Important 2024 update: BFAR introduced rapid testing kits for PSP in major markets (Navotas, Iloilo City) – reducing delayed advisories from 3 days to 6 hours.

Impact on 2024: Higher early-year mortality of juvenile tahong (spat) due to thermal stress. Spatfall was delayed by 2–3 weeks in major hatcheries in Iloilo.

Reason: Inflation (5–6% in 2024), transport fuel costs, and reduced harvest in Western Visayas.

The Verdict: From 2021 to 2024, the tahong industry has moved from a crisis of displacement to a crisis of inflation. While the environmental cleanup of 2021 disrupted the traditional farming grounds, the industry has survived by relocating. However, in 2024, the challenge for farmers is no longer just about where to plant the mussels, but how to keep them affordable amidst the rising cost of fuel and living.

In the Philippines, "tahong" (green mussel, Perna viridis) remains a vital aquaculture commodity. Between 2021 and 2024, the industry focused on recovery from pandemic disruptions and managing recurring environmental challenges like red tide and invasive species. Production and Market Trends (2021–2024)

Production Volume: Historically, production saw a decline from over 26,000 MT in 2018 to roughly 19,229 MT by 2021 due to poor sanitary quality and red tide outbreaks. While total aquaculture grew by roughly 1.5% in 2023, specific tahong volumes have faced pressure from climate-related issues.

Pricing Trends: Export prices for Philippine mussels have risen steadily. Per kilogram, the price was approximately $2.90 in 2021 and is projected to reach $3.35 in 2024. tahong 2024 2021

Top Producing Regions: Western Visayas leads production, particularly in Capiz (the "Seafood Capital"), followed by Cavite and Samar. Key Industry Challenges

Red Tide (Harmful Algal Blooms): This remains the primary threat to the industry. Recent alerts in 2023 and 2024 affected areas like Bohol, Samar, Zamboanga del Sur, and Surigao del Sur, leading to strict consumption and harvesting bans to prevent paralytic shellfish poisoning.

Invasive Species: The spread of the black mussel (Mytella strigata) has impacted native tahong and oyster farms across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Environmental Incidents: In mid-2024, a major oil spill in Bataan spread to Cavite, resulting in a "no-catch zone" for tahong and other shellfish in the province. Strategic Roadmap Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan

The story of the "Tahong" industry from 2021 to 2024 is one of resilience, moving from the survival mode of the pandemic to the cinematic and cultural spotlight of today. 2021: The Season of Survival For the mussel ( ) farmers in hubs like Jiabong, Samar Bacoor, Cavite

, 2021 was a year of "double red tides." Beyond the global pandemic, the industry faced recurring biological red tides that triggered massive shellfish bans. The Struggle

: In Samar, vendors were forced to stop selling for months, driving many to seek work in Manila or take up carpentry just to feed their families. The Intercepts : Authorities, including the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)

, were on high alert, even seizing over 1,200 kilograms of mussels in Leyte to prevent paralytic shellfish poisoning. 2024: From the Sea to the Screen By 2024, the narrative around

shifted into the mainstream through film and cultural revival. The Film " : Released on October 4, 2024 , on the streaming platform VMX (formerly Vivamax)

, the movie starring Candy Veloso and Salome Salvi dramatizes the life of a mussel farmer’s daughter. The plot follows her journey to save her family's livelihood against a land reclamation project—a real-world issue affecting many coastal communities. Modern Challenges | Year | Total Advisories Issued | Total

: Despite the fame, the industry still faces threats from land reclamation and invasive species like the "bahong" (fake tahong), which look similar but have no commercial value. Market Growth : Today, you can find fresh in local markets for around ₱120 per kilo

, with online sellers in areas like Lagro, Quezon City offering same-day delivery.

The journey from 2021's desperate bans to 2024's cinematic spotlight reflects the enduring importance of this humble shellfish to Filipino culture and the economy. 'Tahong' gathered from red-tide hit bay seized in Leyte

gained attention as a feature film directed by Christopher Novabos, released on the streaming platform Vivamax on October 4, 2024. Deep Features/Plot: Unlike typical "sexy films,"

is described as a "story with a cause". It follows Mira, the daughter of a mussel farmer, who fights a reclamation project to save her family's livelihood.

Cast: The film stars Salome Salvi, Candy Veloso, John Mark Marcia, and Emil Sandoval.

Themes: It explores the strength and vulnerability of women within the context of environmental and social struggles in the Philippines. 2. Aquaculture and Food Safety (2021–2024)

The term "tahong" is frequently associated with the Philippine green mussel industry, which faced significant regulatory and safety developments during this period.

Environmental Challenges: Reports from 2024 highlight ongoing battles against "Red Tide," with local health authorities issuing warnings against consuming mussels in areas like Davao City due to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP).

Economic Impact: By early 2024, the industry saw discussions regarding the modernization of shellfish farming. In regions like Palawan, farmers struggled with low market prices (as low as 3 to 5 pesos per kilo) despite bountiful harvests, leading to project initiatives involving international support, such as the Norwegian Embassy. Spatfall was delayed by 2–3 weeks in major

Sustainability Standards: Evidence-based studies in 2024 compared ASEAN and Philippine Codes of Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP) to strengthen the quality and safety of Philippine food fish, including mussels. 3. Notable Regional Locations tahong-tahong" Islands

are recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) in the Philippines, supporting large non-breeding populations of migratory shorebirds, which has become a focal point in offshore wind development roadmaps as of 2022.

For a look at how this popular local ingredient is used in everyday Filipino cooking, watch this recipe tutorial: Classic Filipino Samosa Recipe jfgs4cooking TikTok• Nov 20, 2024 City Veterinarian's Office - Davao City - Facebook

The keyword "tahong 2024 2021" primarily refers to the 2024 Philippine film Tahong (English title: Mussels), a social drama that explores the intersection of environmental activism and personal sacrifice. While "tahong" is the Tagalog word for green mussels (Perna viridis), in this cinematic context, it serves as both a literal representation of a coastal livelihood and a metaphor for the film's themes. Film Overview: Tahong (2024)

Released on October 4, 2024, on the streaming platform Vivamax, Tahong is directed by Christopher Novabos. The story centers on Mira, the daughter of a mussel farmer, who finds herself in a desperate struggle to save her family's livelihood from a destructive reclamation project. Genre: Drama / Thriller Release Date: October 4, 2024 (Philippines) Production Company: Diamond Productions Platform: Available for streaming on Vivamax Philippines. Key Cast and Characters

The film features a cast of established and rising Filipino actors known for their work in independent and digital cinema:

Mussel - Industry Strategic Science and Technology Plans (ISPs) Platform

In the coastal waters of the Philippines, the humble Tahong (green mussel, Perna viridis) is more than just a delicacy—it is a barometer of environmental health and economic stability. The period between 2021 and 2024 was a turbulent rollercoaster for the industry, marked by disaster, recovery, and a sudden, mysterious boom.

Here is the story of Tahong in those pivotal years.