PART II: PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH

     Chapter 10. Fisheries

I. Summary

   The region is endowed with four major fishing grounds located in Lagonoy Gulf, Sorsogon Bay, Ragay Gulf and San Miguel Bay. Most of the marginalized sectors of the population in the region are directly engaged in fisheries and dependent on its resources for subsistence and small basic livelihood. Fishery resources, however, are increasingly under pressure due to rapid population growth and subsequent high demand for food.  These were compounded further by events that affected the industry like the “red tide” in Sorsogon bay and the fear for marine products being contaminated by the capsized ferry, where hundreds of dead bodies were found close to the vicinity of Masbate waters. The after effects of devastating typhoons that came in succession (Senyang, Milenyo and Reming) in 2006 were still felt during the period. 

   Regional initiatives on fisheries that led to several projects contributing to the sustainability of marine resources in the region were undertaken. Fishery production was sustained to meet the increasing demand for fishery products despite the difficulties confronted by the sector.

 

   The objectives for the fishery sector are: to increase production and productivity; to develop new potential fishery areas, to establish support facilities and to make the region a net exporter of fish and other marines products. 

 

   The growth in total fishery production from 2007 to 2008 was 5.33 percent, lower than the growth posted in the previous three years. 

 

   The Mariculture Zone Development and Management Project in Sugod Bay, Bacon District in Sorsogon and in Bagatao and Tinacos Islands in Barangay Bacolod introduced the technology of fish caging using indigenous materials that were marine-life friendly. About 17.6 million stocks of Get excel tilapia, shrimp, “ulang” and carp were produced for commercialization and distributed to fish farmers, LGUs, and POs as breeders and to the academe for research and fisheries projects.

 

   The support facilities established included a seaweed nursery for each province and a tilapia hatchery project in Minalabac, Camarines Sur. Ninety (90) units of bottom set fishing gears were distributed to fisherfolks in  Masbate (40 units), Camarines Norte (30 units) and Camarines Sur (20 units).

II. Assessment

   The total fishery production in 2008 recorded a production volume of 263,099 metric tons which was 5.33 percent higher than the production volume of 249,780 metric tons of the preceding year (Table 10.1). The increase however was much lower than the 2005, 2006 and 2007 annual growth rates posting 25.48 percent, 6.70 percent and 10.02 percent, respectively.

 

   Municipal fishing remained to be the major source of fish production in the region with 137,168 metric tons hauled in 2008. This was more than the combined production of commercial fishing and aquaculture. It recorded an increase of 6.93 percent over the 2007 production. The aquaculture and commercial fisheries also showed positive growth rates but were not as significant as the former. Aquaculture production remained sluggish over the past two years posting only 3.54 percent and 0.45 percent growth rates in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The three biggest fish producing provinces were Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Masbate.

Table 10.1 Fisheries Production, Bicol Region, CY 2007 and 2008

                                             Source:  BFAR 5

   In the third quarter of 2008, the production and income of fisherfolks were affected by the incidence of red tide. The ban on “tahong” and other shellfishes was enforced particularly coming from the Sorsogon Bay area. The mussel industry in the province of Sorsogon lost about P10 million as a result of the algal bloom. A P3 million fund was allocated for lending as starting capital for mariculture ventures to organized fishermen's groups in barangays along the coastlines of Sorsogon. 

 

   The Mariculture Zone Development and Management Project, a marine culture venture, was introduced. These were located in Sugod Bay, Bacon District in Sorsogon covering a total area of 500 hectares, and in Bagatao and Tinacos Islands in Barangay Bacolod covering 300 hectares. Under this venture, the fisherfolks engaged in fish caging using indigenous materials that were marine-life friendly. Only high value commercial fish, prawns and crabs not prone to red tide contamination and found abundant in Sorsogon Bay were selected species for cultivation. Also part of the venture was the stocking of bangus and grouper fingerlings as well as seaweed seedlings in the technology-demonstration fish cages at the Banao port in Barangay Salvacion, Sorsogon City, and the municipal port in Magallanes.

 

   About 17.6 million stocks of Get excel tilapia, shrimp, “ulang” and carp were produced for commercialization to increase production and productivity especially in aquaculture and to generate jobs. These were distributed to fish farmers, LGUs, and POs as breeders and to the academe for research and fisheries projects.  The “Stock Now, Pay Later” Program of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) distributed to 1,131 fish farmers about 1,556,060 fingerlings to produce good varieties and significantly increase fish population. Saline tilapia fingerlings were also acquired and currently being developed as brood stocks at RFFC. A Tilapia Hatchery Project was established in Minalabac, Camarines Sur in November 2008 which employed five workers to maintain the project.

 

   The seaweeds culture was pursued as an option towards income diversification of fishermen in the use of the municipal waters. The local government facilitated technology transfer and provided channels for funding assistance to promote the venture.  Seaweed nursery for each province was established wherein 17,208 kilograms of seaweed seedlings were dispersed.

 

   Other support services to increase production included the distribution of 90 units of bottom set fishing gears to Masbate (40 units), Camarines Norte (30 units) and Camarines Sur (20 units). 

 

   On the other hand, as a result of the apprehension of 27 illegal fishermen in San Miguel and Lamon Bays in 2007, a municipal ordinance was passed to stamp out rampant illegal fishing in the areas. Through the ordinance, large commercial fishers using active gears and vessels exceeding 150 gross registered tonnages that used to invade the municipal waters were restricted from the area. The ordinance also provided for the management, protection, utilization and disposition of all aquatic resources within the municipal waters that ensured people’s participation and promoted awareness of sustainable fisheries through appropriate education and training. The ordinance also promoted marine aquaculture, including culture-based fisheries as means toward diversification and preservation of coastal and fisheries resources. It ensured that resources were used responsibly and adverse impacts on the development of the inland and marine waters were properly addressed considering the genetic diversity and integrity of the ecosystem of municipal waters.

III. Prospects and Trends for 2009 

 

   The prospects for the sector will include the benefits that will be derived from aquaculture developed in 2008 and how these will be sustained in the succeeding years.

 

   The challenge of climate change on the fishing industry has to be addressed so that income of fishery depended families will not be adversely affected. 

 

   The impact of the “red tide” will be mitigated through the successful implementation of mariculture projects. The diversification through seaweeds production and the enforcement of fishery code and local ordinances will lessen the pressure on the municipal waters. This will also increase the income of marginal fishermen.