CALBAYOG CITY-The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-8 conducted a project brief on “REBYC-II CTI” (Reducing By-catch Coral Triangle Initiative) involving mayors of the CASTSDM (Calbayog, Almagro, Sto.Nino, Tagapul-an, Sta. Margarita, Daram and Maripipi) Alliance.
BFAR-8 research team head Raffy Ramiscal said that the project is a strategy for trawl fisheries by-catch management that is expected to contribute to more sustainable use of fisheries resources and healthier marine ecosystems in the coral triangle and Southeast Asia waters by reducing by-catch, discards and other impact of trawl fisheries.
Ramiscal mentioned the participating countries and executing partners of this project are Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines with Samar Sea as the pilot site. The project, he added, includes “ichthyoplankton” (fish eggs and larvae) survey, by-catch and trawl catch survey, critical habitat and fishing ground survey, formulation of Samar Sea Fisheries Management Plan, TWG (technical working group) activities, EAFM (Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management) and other capacity building activities.
The actual implementation of this 4-year project, he further said, started last year. Ramiscal said that once the project is finished, Samar Sea is sure to enjoy a more sustainable use of fisheries resources, a healthier marine habitat and ecosystems, and a secured fisherfolks’ livelihood.
The executing agency of this REBYC-II CTI Project is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), while the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) is their Regional Project Facilitator Unit. Their project partners are the International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organization (IFFO), Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) and the Regional Fisheries Livelihood Project (RFLP).
This REBYC-II CTI project brief for CASTSDM Alliance mayors was held last July 18 at the Mayor’s Conference Room, this city. The alliance is composed of Calbayog City through Mayor Ronaldo P. Aquino (chairman), Almagro (Mayor Kathleen S. Prudenciado (vice chairman), Sto. Nino (Mayor Lilia A. Conejos; Tagapul-an (Mayor Vicente F. Limpiado; Sta. Margarita (Mayor Gemma P. Zosa); Daram (Mayor Lucia L. Astorga) and Maripipi (Mayor Uldarico P. Macorol), as members. (AIMEE CATALAN/PR)
