Negrenses urged to intensify efforts on marine conservation

OFFICIALS and representatives from various sectors gathered for the southern Negros Island Marine Key Biodiversity Area (MKBA) Summit held at Win’s Garden in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental on May 4 to strengthen efforts on protecting marine protected areas in the region.

The summit was the celebratory culmination of a five-year Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries (Ecofish) Project encompassing the five municipalities and two cities in Negros Island Region: Bayawan City, Siaton, Santa Catalina, Basay in Negros Oriental; Sipalay City, Hinoba-an, and Cauayan in Negros Occidental, implemented by a partnership with Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and United States Agency for International Development.

The project engaged coastal communities towards the ecosystems approach to fisheries management through technical assistance, trainings, and capacity-building in three major fields: (1) The establishment of more marine protected areas (MPAs) and connecting them into an MPA Network in southern Negros, (2) development of alternative livelihood and enterprises, and (3) collaborative enforcement of fisheries and coastal resource management laws.

Moreover, the local partners of the Ecofish Project were recognized for their achievements and contributions.

Among them are the seven local governments of Siaton, Santa Catalina, Bayawan, Basay, Hinoba-an, Sipalay and Cauayan whose efforts towards marine conservation continue in sustaining the Southern Negros Island MKBA.

Also recognized were the Environment and Natural Resources Division of Negros Oriental, Provincial Environment Management Office and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Negros Occidental.

The inter-agency fisheries law enforcement team of Task Force Lawod, with representatives from the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, and BFAR-Western Visayas Fishery Protection and Law Enforcement Group also gained recognition for the work they have done, curbing illegal commercial fishing in Negros Occidental.

Non-government organizations also received acclaim for partnering with the Ecofish Project: the Alter Trade Foundation Inc. in empowering fisherfolk communities and people’s organizations through multiple enterprises such as development of fisheries products, including the novel “Barongoy burger,” “Barongoy Spanish-style sardines,” and seaweed crackers; and the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc. in strengthening marine protected areas through management and monitoring trainings for the goal of increasing fish stocks in the southern Negros Island MKBA.

The summit was opened by Bayawan City Mayor Henry Pryde Teves, who in his previous stint as Congressman of the Third District of Negros Oriental has been instrumental in the creation of the Joint Seaborne Patrol Program in the localities of Siaton, Santa Catalina, Bayawan and Basay, and also as one of the principal authors of Republic Act 10654, or the Amended Fisheries Code of the Philippines.