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English Name: Angel wings
Scientific Name: Pholas orientalis

Product Profile

• “ Known to be soft, juicy, sweet, savory and most-sought after shellfish of Roxas City’
• “Aphrodisiac”

Chemical Composition
Protein: 54.7 %
Fat: 7.8
Calcium :0.837
Phosphorus: 0.355
Ash: 15.4
Water: (moisture content of fresh meat) 89.5

Habitat Adaptation
• Borers to a depth of 2 ft in muddy sandy substratum
• Grows in water depths of 3-25 feet in Roxas City Waters
• Food: Phytoplankton
• Ambient water temperature: 24-31 degrees centigrade
• Salinity: 30-35 ft

Sexual maturity/ Production
• Males: 59 mm (2.2 inches) in length
• Females: 64 mm (2.5 inches)

Spawning Season: June to October
Fecundity: 800,000-2,000,000 eggs/ individual (Survival is less than 1%)
Recruitment Period: December-February (larvae starts to settle or burrow)
Growth rate observed: Shell grows ½ inch every month up to 6” in one year ( the ones transplanted in 2004 is now 7 ½ “ after 4 years)
Roxas City started rehabilitation efforts in 1996 thru transplantation
Harvest Season: Starts middle of July
Density: 20-90 individuals/ sq.m.
Marketable Size: 3-6” ( 7 months)

Harvest Recorded in Roxas City:

Year Area harvested Volume

Harvest Arrangement:

Only 44 members of Roxas City Diwal Diver’s Association, Inc. (ROCDDA) are given permit to gather diwal in 2009. This is their incentive for participating in the Shellfish Rehabilitation efforts of the City. Produce of members are bought by their association for centralized marketing. This is the first year ROCDDA engaged in the business as an association which is a learning experience for the divers. ROCDDA sells diwal from P150-P300 (small to large). From the proceeds, ROCDDA gives donation to the City Government at P10/ kg which forms part of the trust fund for Diwal Rehabilitation and P2/ kg for the Barangay as landing fee. Portions of it are set aside for the health care and alternative livelihood of the divers when not in season. Those buying their products are actually helping our fisherfolks.

One of the uncontrollable factors affecting harvest is strong waves which carry with it drifting sand which can cover the growing area of the shellfish. Since they are borers, when the holes are covered, they die. Diwal can be available year round with regulated harvesting and favorable weather conditions.

FOR INQUIRIES:

Pls Call: City Agriculture Office (036) 6215-918
ROCDDA, Inc. 09216696324