CATBALOGAN CITY -- About 180 Samar fisherfolk left their illegal fishing activities and surrendered their "prohibited fishing gears" recently.
Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan–Delos Santos said the fishermen from the island towns of Daram and Talalora, and those from this city recently approached her and expressed their willingness and support to the campaign to protect Samar seas.
“They (fishermen) showed up and express interest to shift ways from ‘illegal’ to a more ‘responsible’ ways of catching fish and sea products,” said Delos Santos.
In response to their clean intention, the governor said the Provincial Government took initiatives to provide them alternative livelihood that can support their families but will not endanger the marine resources.
The Provincial Government of Samar and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Eastern Visayas through Dr. Juan D. Albaladejo later came up with the program “palit-lambat” and awarded the 180 fisherfolk with "safe fishing gears."
The fishermen, most of them were former dynamite fishers, turned over their illegal fish nets locally known as "pahulbot" in exchange for livelihood assistance such as 500 meters drift gill net, each set costing P7,000, among other forms of aid.
The fishermen also swore an oath -- “Panunumpa ng pagbabago” -- before Samar and BFAR officials to never use again illegal methods of fishing and help conserve the marine ecosystem.
To strengthen the fight against illegal fishing activities, fiber glass patrol boats were also turned by BFAR to Samar province. (SunStar Philippines)