The implementation of P2.5 million worth of projects to strengthen marine conservation in the city is now ongoing under a partnership with a German firm, an official said.
Davao City Councilor Marissa P. Abella, in Monday's weekly flag ceremony, said the project partnership is dubbed as "Strengthening established marine protected network within Davao City and conservation of marine biologically important species".
The project is funded by the GIZ, a German aid to committed to help other countries in terms of fish conservation.
She said that the project aimed to reduce illegal fishing, to manage marine protected areas, to increase community awareness and to identify supplemental livelihood programs.
She said that the fund was coursed through the University of South Eastern Philippines (Usep), a partner of the project implementation.
She said that the funds were sent by tranches depending on accomplishments and that the city already forwarded the first tranche of funds that was sent during the second quarter this year.
Abella said that Davao is fortunate to have 19,827 hectares marine waters along at 26 coastal barangays that forms part of the 10 percent of the total area of Davao Gulf that becomes an avenue for strategic fishing and priority biodiversity conservation area.
She thanked partner agencies Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the fisher folks of Davao City in their continued support on the city's program for fish conservation.
Abella also commended BFAR for the strict implementation of the closed season last June to August this year that protected spawning and breeding ground for tuna and other species.
According to Bfar Regional Director Fatma Idris in a media forum at Kapihan sa Isla, at Blugre Cafe, SM Lanang Premiere, Davao Gulf has been a potential breeding areas for larvae of anchovy, big-eyed scad (matambaka) and other tuna species.
Meanwhile, Abella said that the City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council are pushing to expand the closed season to give more time for our marine resources to multiply and regenerate.
"I hope that we are going to validate and take action on this," Abella said.
Abella added that fisher folk registration is also ongoing, including fishermen and fish vendors.
She added that a tablet has also been provided for the said registration which helps in identification of beneficiaries to various programs.
"I hope in the coming months we will intensify our support especially in the barangay level where farmers and fisher folks rely on the richness of our marine ecosystem," Abella said.
She also hoped that this year's fisheries conservation week will be meaningful and successful.
The 52nd Fish Conservation Awareness Week initiated by the City Agriculturist's office started yesterday with the theme of "Pinatatag na Batas pangisdaan, hakbang sa Pagkamit ng Mas Masaganang Pangisdaan".
The event was ushered by a motorcade among stakeholders and highlighted by a poster making contest.
Today, a fish cage tour in Punta Dumalag is set in the morning while a mangrove seaweed area tour is slated in the afternoon in barangays Lasang and Bunawan. Simultaneous seaborne patrol operations will also be conducted in Davao City waters.
Tommorow, October 21, fisher folk registration, fisher boat and fishing gear registration will be conducted in Barangay Talomo to be held simultaneously with a coastal cleanup spearheaded by barangay Captain Artemio Jimenez.
On the same day a fingerling distribution will also be conducted in Marilog district.
On October 22, deputization of Bantay Dagat as fish warden will also be held at World Palace followed by a culmination program on Oct. 23.KVC