BFAR distributes fishing nets for fisherfolks

By Ninfa B Quirante

Catbalogan City (12 August) — The Samar Day celebration on August 11, 2010 proved lucky to some 140 fisherfolks as they received fishing nets and gears from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

BFAR Regional Director John Albaladejo was in town to witness the distribution from Gov Sharee Ann Tan and Provincial Fishry Officer Roland Ay-ay.

Rene Araza from Talalora town told PIA how glad he is to get the fishing gears with some other fihsermen from his coastal town.

Albaladejo told the local media that the fishing nets are varied and will be used for shrimps, crabs and fish.

The free provision of the fishing gears will somehow help the beneficiaries.

The BFAR Regional Director said he is happy with the fishery situation in E Visayas and that the bureau has received support from the central office.

Dir. Albaladejo also talked about the “Rent to Own Cage” of the former administration has graduated into “Cage for Livelihood” where the fisherfolks do not rent anymore but now own the fish cages.

He also talked about the mariculture zones that were established in E Visayas.

Meanwhile Albaladejo plead to the fisherfolks in mussel culture especially in Jiabong and Villareal to observe the agreements they had.

He was reffering to the clean up drive undertaking BFAR had with the LGUs mentioned after the mussel industry suffered heavy casulaties due to pollution.

He claimed the latter did not honor their commitment.

“Instead of using the recommended raft method, they used the old staking method, besides they placed their mussel farms outside the recommended sites.” (PIA-Samar)