Surigao City fishers group reaps P4.6-M milkfish harvest
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — The members of the Barangay Baybay Lobster Culturist Association (BBLCA), a local fisherfolk group, celebrated a major achievement with the first harvest of their P4.6 million marine fish cage project in Surigao City.
This initiative is part of the Aquaculture and Mariculture Expansion and Invigoration Project (AMEIP) of the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) Caraga, in collaboration with the city government of Surigao.
The local fisherfolk group, consisting of 47 members (20 women and 27 men), harvested six metric tons of market-size milkfish, valued at P928,481. This achievement highlighted the potential of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fish cages in enhancing local mariculture operations.
BBLCA Chairperson Merry Flor Lepio expressed heartfelt gratitude to DA-BFAR and the city government, emphasising a commitment to the sustainability and expansion of the project. “We are thankful for this opportunity and will do our best to sustain and expand this project to serve as a model for other fishing associations.”
Surigao del Norte Provincial Fishery Officer Bimbo C. Lagare, representing DA-BFAR Caraga Regional Director Omnia B. Olama, lauded the initiative as a benchmark for sustainable aquaculture development. “Our goal is to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart and sustainable aquaculture in our region through this project, and we are proud to recognise its success here in our province.”
Mayor Paul Dumlao, who was present at the harvest celebration, emphasized the significance of unity and community ownership in the success and sustainability of local aquaculture projects.
City Councillor Karl Duane Casura echoed these sentiments, noting that the initiative aligns with the city government’s vision for food sustainability, stating, “We hope to see this initiative continue to flourish here in Surigao City.”
The project on AMEIP officially began on May 19, following the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DA-BFAR, the Surigao City government, and the local fisherfolk project beneficiaries. This is a locally funded DA-BFAR initiative designed to empower small-scale fisherfolk by providing modern aquaculture infrastructure, quality fingerlings, and technical support, thereby strengthening sustainable livelihoods and food security in coastal communities. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DA-BFAR)
