Ilocos norte: A government-assisted fisherfolk association here continued to reap the benefits of fish aggregating devices (FADs) or payao project, reporting improved fish catches and increased income as the initiative enhances the productivity of small-scale fisherfolk.
According to Philippines News Agency, the project, supported by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), involved the deployment of FADs, which attract pelagic fish species and help local fishermen identify productive fishing grounds more efficiently. The technology has enabled fisherfolk to spend less time searching for fish while reducing fuel costs and increasing their daily catch. For the first week of July alone, the Buraan Fisherfolk Association in Burgos, Ilocos Norte reported 820 kg of galunggong (mackerel scad) with a net income of PHP98,400.
'The payao project is a big help to our association. It improved our livelihood and provided a more reliable source of income for our families,' Buraan Fisherfolk Association president Jimmy Garalde said in an interview. He mentioned that a portion of their profit will go to the association to sustain its operation and for maintenance of their fishing paraphernalia. The association also added that the increased fish catch has helped ensure a steady supply of fish in the local market.
Provincial fishery officer Vanessa Abigail Dagdagan said in a phone interview that the project with the Buraan Fisherfolk Association has been running for three years and will continue for three more years. This is part of the government's continuing efforts to strengthen the fisheries sector by providing appropriate technologies and livelihood support to coastal communities. She underscored that the distribution of payao projects to eligible fisherfolk associations like Buraan contribute to food security, sustainable fisheries, and improved economic opportunities for fisherfolk.
Dagdagan stated that under the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program of the BFAR, poor and marginalized fisherfolk in underserved communities are assisted for six years by providing them with fisheries-related interventions and capacity-building support. Some of the assistance provided under the BFAR-SAAD includes the deployment of payao, distribution of fishing boats and eco-friendly fishing paraphernalia, provision of fish fingerlings and aquaculture inputs, including training on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture practices; organizational strengthening for fisherfolk associations and cooperatives, and enterprise development and market linkage support.
"By combining livelihood support with capacity-building and resource management, the BFAR-SAAD Program helps fishing communities become more self-reliant while contributing to the sustainable development of the country's fisheries sector,' she added. The program prioritizes geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas where poverty incidence among fisherfolk is high. Beneficiaries are organized into associations or cooperatives to ensure sustainability and encourage community participation.
