BFAR-7 ensures seaweeds farming thrive during pandemic

CEBU, Philippines —  Officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 7 have visited the “Operasyon Bagong Buhay” program beneficiaries in Barangay Lipayran in Bantayan Island.

BFAR-7 regional director, Dr. Allan Poquita, was with Mario Ruinata, head of the Regional Research Development Extension and Coordinating Office, and Edgardo Delfin, chief of Cebu Provincial Fishery Office, who met the members of the Mambacayao Diot Seaweeds Farmers Association (MDSFA) that the bureau earlier formed.

Introduced in 2019, Poquita said the program seeks to offer alternative livelihood to illegal fishers to persuade them in using non-destructive and sustainable means of fishing.

The BFAR-7 officials spoke with the townsfolk and consulted them with their current situation amid the coronavirus pandemic and assessed the status of their livelihood, particularly the seaweeds farming.

Poquita during the talks promised to give 200 kilograms of seaweeds seedling for every beneficiary and to install a seaweeds nursery or seed bank to further sustain the livelihood that the locals rely to.

MDSFA acting vice president Junvil Saludar shared that the fishing community was affected greatly by the pandemic.

He expressed his gratitude to the bureau for revisiting the place and for its effort to make the seaweeds industry thriving again.

“Daku gyud kaayo ang tabang nga gihatag sa BFAR namo ilabi na sa mga saad niini diri namo,” said Saludar referring to the farm inputs that the bureau has committed to provide to the association.

The bureau, in a statement, said that it has taught the fisherfolk on farming seaweeds so that they will stop fishing with the use of explosives such as dynamite that has been rampant in the town.

Aside from this, the program aims to boost the aquaculture sector in the area so as to complement municipal fishing, allowing the fishes in the wild to restore and flourish.

BFAR-7 also said that two members of the association, who are survivors of accidental dynamite blast in fishing will each receive 22-footer fiberglass reinforced plastic boat with 6.5 horsepower marine engine and complete accessories. — GMR (FREEMAN)