Vol.18 No. 1 JANUARy- DECEMBER 2018 The Official Publication of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Cordillera Administrative Region RegionalApayao Gawad fisherfolk Saka Search wins 1 January-December 2018 The Official Publication of Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Cordillera Administrative Region Vol. 18 No. 1 | January - December 2018 EDITORIAL BOARD 4 5 EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS IN PROMOTING PROPER BFAR BURNS SURRENDERED FISH HANDLING, FISHERFOLK ELECTRO-FISHING MILAGROS C. MORALES, DrFT, CESE MARKET ACCESS FISH GADGETS, AWARDS Regional Director LANDING CENTER FISHING GEARS IN ESTABLISHED IN ABRA EXCHANGE LOIS JUNE B. FERMIN OIC-FTFCD PINO M. WAKIT FMRED Chief JESUS M. ASTRERO OIC-FPSSD 6 8 ARNOLD L. PALENG OIC-PMES APAYAO IN PROMOTING CARMELITA B. BOLLA FISHERFOLK WINS FISHERY PRODUCTS, OIC-Admin & Finance REGIONAL GAWAD BFAR JOINS TIENDA PRESCILA M. MARAMBA SAKA SEARCH SA CORDILLERA OIC-FPHMS PROVINCIAL FISHERY OFFICERS JANET S. DAGUIO | Abra 9 10 MEYNARD V. DOMINGO | Apayao LORENCE B. OGNASI | Benguet EASTER SUNDAY: A 3 PROVINCIAL FISHERY EUMIC C. CULIMAY | Ifugao HARVEST FEAST FOR THE OFFICES IN CORDILLERA JOYCE M. DUCYOGEN | Kalinga MAENG TRIBE IN TUBO NOW OPERATIONAL MARTHA B. ESTIMA | Mt. Province LOIS JUNE B. FERMIN Editor-in-Chief 11 12 RODELYN Q. FORONDA BFAR EXPANDS OPLAN SAGIP Managing Editor and Layout Artist TOLENTINO SITS AS LUDONG PROJECT (OSLP) MANGINGISDANG IN ABRA, APAYAO; 30 RIVER SARAH JEAN L. BIYANG DIREKTOR WARDENS DEPUTIZED HECTOR M. DE GUZMAN NG CORDILLERA DENNIS F. DE VERA RODELYN Q. FORONDA KRISTINE P. LACHICA MARY P. TAULI CRISTIFAN A. TORING 14 Contributors BFAR MARKS SEPTEMBER AS 13 Cordillera Fisheries Review 2018 55TH FISH CONSERVATION January-December BFAR REGIONS 1, MONTH CAR HARMONIZE REGIONAL OFFICE Easter Road, Guisad, Baguio City 2600 CONSERVATION Telefax: (074) 445-8499 MEASURES OF GOBY (074) 443-6716 FRY (IPON) E-mail: [email protected] ASAR: A DISTINCT FISHING www.cordillerafisheries.multiply.com http://car.bfar.da.gov.ph GEAR USED IN THE Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bfar.car.5 CORDILLERA RIVERS 16 All contents and photographs A research article published on July 18, Copyright © 2018 Department of Agriculture 2018 in the Journal of Marine Science Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Research and Oceanography. Cordillera Administrative Region 2 January-December 2018 OF RD'S VIEWPOINT MilagroS C. Morales Regional Director Warmest Greetings! Another milestone has been established as we are honored to present to you another result of a collaborative effort and determination from the constituents of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-CAR) along with supporting agencies and end-users who have contributed to the overall success of the organization for the year 2018. May this material be able to deliver you stories, knowledge, and insights that will help provide opportunities for an improved quality of living. As we continue to revere another fruitful year to materialize this 2019, we hope for the continuous support and participation especially from the community of fisherfolks, and Local Governments Units (LGU’s) all over the region. Furthermore, let us convene for the protection and conservation of our natural resources in fulfillment of our vision. Together, let us keep it up for a prosperous Cordillera. Matago-tago tako am-in! 3 January-December 2018 In promoting proper fish handling, fisherfolk market access fish landing center established inAbra Texts & Photos by: Cristifan A. Toring have readily available fish. The inauguration of the three million pesos worth “Aside from the facility, post-harvest equipment Community Fish Landing Center (CFLC) in Bangued, was also provided such as fish stalls and freezers to Abra marked the full operation of the facility as part of maintain sanitation and freshness of fish species the targeted intervention to spur “inclusive growth” and displayed. Director Morales then asked LGU and the alleviate poverty. fisherfolk to support the Bureau in sustaining the project. She hoped the facility will be used properly In Cordillera, the Bureau established its CFLC facility and appropriately. “We need your support to sustain in Bangued, Abra to complete the 253 units of CFLC our aim to protect the environment and the health of established nationwide. BFAR-CAR Regional Director the people”, explained RD Morales. Milagros C. Morales, said the province of Abra was selected to be the fish landing center in the region Among the LGU officials who attended the activity since this is traversed by the 6th largest river system were Municipal Mayor Dominic B. Valera, Vice Mayor in the Philippines which is the Abra River from where Allan P. Seares, and Joel B. Mailed, Punong Barangay of most of the Abrenian depend for their fishing activities. Calaba. In 2017, Abra has 602.85 MT- recorded fish production Mayor Valera was grateful for the project which will with 14.21% - sufficiency level (PSA). It also has a total provide another income generation to the residents. of 6, 956 registered fisherfolk. He also ensured that an ordinance will be passed stating that all fish caught and fish from aquaculture The establishment of CFLC aims to support the national production will be recorded at the fish landing center program on poverty reduction in the fisheries sector. prior to disposal. The project is under the Targeted Actions to Reduce Poverty and Generate Economic Transformation Further, this CFLC project aims at providing better (TARGET) program of the Bureau of Fisheries and post-harvest handling and processing systems, and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) which was launched in 2014. faster access to markets to reduce post-harvest losses and increase incomes; sharing of knowledge and RD Morales added that the province is abundant with information, to improve the quality of products and water resources where different fish species are caught increase the fisherfolk’s fair share in the value of the in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and small water impounding products; facilitating organizational development so projects (SWIPs). These, together with fish cultured in they can effectively participate in decision-making ponds, cages and rice paddies will be traded at the processes and avail of the services that affect their landing center for wholesale buyers. welfare; enhancing sustainable fisheries management with the help of science-based monitoring of the With this, it was pointed out that the facility established condition of the fishing grounds and fish stocks. will help other provinces in CAR and nearby areas to 4 January-December 2018 BFAR burns surrendered electro-fishing gadgets, awards fishing gears in exchange Texts by: Rodelyn Q. Foronda Photos by: Sarah Jean L. Biyang In support to the strengthened advocacy of the Bureau cage, and one 18 cubic feet chest freezer with 40 kg against all forms of illegal fishing activities in Cordillera, bangus as a start-up capital. the ceremonial burning of destructive gears was conducted at the Provincial Fishery Office in Kalinga. An oath of surrender was likewise emphasized as it This includes electrofishing devices which is considered shows fisherfolk’s willingness to join the Bureau in as one of the prohibited gears pursuant to Section 92 its fight against illegal fishing and to reduce rampant of Republic Act 10654. cases of such in Kalinga province. The voluntary surrender of electro-fishing device The ceremonial burning was undertaken in partnership is a program introduced by BFAR-CAR from where with the Philippine National Police-Tabuk City, Local fisherfolk in possession or uses these devices are Government Unit of Tabuk City, fisherfolk group, convinced to surrender their gadgets in exchange of CENRO and other agencies. legal fishing gears. The program likewise promotes responsible use of aquatic resources. Fisherfolk surrendered the said gadgets as a result of the advocacy on the ill effects of illegal fishing “Let us establish and strengthen our partnership, since conducted by the NSAP Enumerators who frequently one of our core values is to protect the environment” meet with the fisherfolk during fish sampling at the said PO1 Jack Wassig in support to the program. Chico River. The river is one of the fishing grounds where recorded fish catch is high. The use of electrofishing gadget is said to be destructive as it kills, stuns or renders unconscious Section 92 of the Republic Act 10654 states that fishing adult or juvenile fishes and as a result fish will not be through explosives, noxious or poisonous substance or able to reproduce. electricity is punishable by law. Also, mere possession of electro fishing device constitutes a prima facie According to Sarah Jean Biyang, BFAR’s Fishing evidence that the device was used in violation of the Regulation Officer assigned in Kalinga, “during fishery law. As such, BFAR may impose administrative fines law enforcement training, we really convinced them which is equivalent to five times the value of catch or to stop the use of this prohibited gear for them not to Php 30, 000.00 whichever is higher or criminal offense be penalized.” Hence, in exchange of the surrendered with imprisonment of six months to two years plus fine gears, Kalinga PFO Joyce M. Ducyogen explained that of twice the amount of the administrative fine. these gears will be replaced with environment-friendly fishing gears such as gill nets, fish traps and cast nets. It has been noted that same activity was undertaken in Aside from this, livelihood assistance was provided to Apayao last year. the Magaogao fisherfolk composed of one-unit fish 5 January-December 2018 ApayaoRegional Gawad fisherfolk Saka Search wins Texts by: Cristifan A. Toring Photos by: Rodelyn Q. Foronda Mr. Renier S. Bilan Sr., 54, of Barangay Buluan, Conner, he practices pond drying until the soil cracks to allow Apayao is the region’s nominee for the 2018 national toxic gas to evaporate. Also, he applies a mixture of Gawad Saka Search for outstanding fisherfolk.