San Jose dB fisherfolks received BFAR fishing gears

Photo by Michael Tonding

Eleven small-scale fisherfolks received deep sea fishing gears from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) through the local government unit of San Jose de Buenavista in a simple turn over ceremony at the town’s hall.

The recipients were small-scale fisherfolks living near the municipal marine protected area.  They were selected and indorsed by their Barangay Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council (BFARMC).

In 2003, San Jose dB established a marine protected area with 67.22 hectares of coral reef covering the barangays of Funda-Dalipe, Madrangca, Barangay 3 and Barangay 4. Of this, 6.57 hectares is the core or the no-take zone located in Funda-Dalipe.

Deep sea fishing gears were given to selected fisherfolks to encourage fishing activities beyond the no-take zone.

The distribution of deep sea fishing gears is part of the livelihood support program of BFAR which complements the livelihood component of the Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Program of the local government of San Jose de Buenavista.     

Mayor Rony Molina (center) with Rotary Antique President Fe Osorio, Designated Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Cornelius Yanga, Peace Corp Volunteer Benjamin Martin (back, wearing black shirt) with the beneficiaries. Photo by Michael Tonding