TACLOBAN CITY: Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) has caused PHP16 million in damage to the fishery sector in the Eastern Visayas region, affecting 2,000 small fisherfolk, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) reported on Thursday. Destroyed are hundreds of aquafarms, fishing boats, fishing gear, and post-harvest facilities based on the BFAR regional office's damage and loss assessment. According to Philippines News Agency, a total of PHP27.7 million in damage to fisheries caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine has been recorded in the country, with Eastern Visayas sustaining a portion of these losses. The typhoon's strong winds and heavy rains destroyed 55 hectares of fishponds, 11 fish pens, 404 fish cages, 365 hectares of seaweed farms, 1,442 municipal fishing boats, and 1,376 fishing gears. Of the six provinces in Eastern Visayas, Leyte recorded the highest number of affected fishermen at 1,269 individuals. Among the hardest-hit coastal municipalities were Lapinig and Laoang in Northern Samar and Salcedo in Eastern Samar. BFAR Region 8 facilities in Leyte and Samar also sustained damage, with losses estimated at PHP1.7 million. The fisheries bureau is also consolidating damage and loss assessments within the region for submission of proposals for possible funding by concerned agencies.