Monday, March 09, 2026

BFAR boosts fisherfolk income, resilience as cooperative earns over P1M

By Nora L. Molde

Freshly harvested bangus from the Ata-atahon Fisherfolk Cooperative (A-FISHCOOP) are unloaded at the Nasipit Mariculture Park in Agusan del Norte, marking the cooperative’s successful production of 6.0 metric tons valued at P1.018 million under the BFAR’s Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency Project. (Photo courtesy of BFAR Caraga)

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Improved household income, stronger livelihood security, and enhanced climate resilience are now being realized by fisherfolk in Agusan del Norte as the Ata-atahon Fisherfolk Cooperative (A-FISHCOOP) generated P1.018 million in gross income after harvesting 6.0 metric tons of bangus at the Nasipit Mariculture Park.

The production was sourced from a 10-meter high-density polyethylene (HDPE) cage funded under the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project, a flagship initiative of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) aimed at modernizing the fisheries sector and strengthening its adaptive capacity to climate-related risks.

Implemented through the project’s Modern and Resilient Livelihood Investment (MARLIN) 2.1 component, the intervention promotes science-based aquaculture practices and the adoption of durable, climate-smart technologies to increase productivity while reducing vulnerability to extreme weather disturbances.

According to A-FISHCOOP chairperson Gemilu Cutas, the cooperative’s strong production performance was attributed to proper stocking density, efficient feeding management, and consistent monitoring of fish stocks, key technical factors in sustainable mariculture operations.

Despite several typhoons that affected the area during the culture period, the cooperative sustained operations through preparedness measures and coordinated members’ efforts, demonstrating how government-supported mariculture systems can withstand environmental challenges and ensure income continuity.

For the fisherfolk, the project serves as a proactive economic buffer, particularly in preparation for management measures such as the sardines closed season in Butuan Bay. “We are very grateful to the FishCoRe Project because even though the sardines closed season has not been implemented yet, we already have resources saved, so we won’t struggle when the closed season comes,” said Vivian Cerilles, member of A-FISHCOOP.

BFAR Caraga Regional Director Omnia B. Olama emphasized that the successful harvest demonstrates how empowered community-based organizations can effectively adopt modern mariculture technologies and convert government assistance into tangible economic gains.

“The outcome of A-FISHCOOP’s initial production cycle shows that when fisherfolk are provided with the right technology, capacity-building, and institutional support, they can significantly improve productivity and income while contributing to local food security,” Olama said.

The FishCoRe Project supports the present administration’s thrust to ensure national food security, uplift the lives of fisherfolk, and build climate-resilient communities. Under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s agricultural modernization agenda, programs that enhance fisheries productivity and diversify livelihood sources are being intensified to shield vulnerable sectors from economic and environmental shocks.

The Ata-atahon Fisherfolk Cooperative, composed of 44 members, received support from BFAR Caraga in August 2025 through a P1.8 million HDPE cage installed at the Mariculture Park in Nasipit.

Cutas underscored that the accomplishment highlights the effectiveness of appropriate aquaculture and mariculture practices that balance productivity with environmental stewardship. “This achievement shows that suitable aquaculture practices can help conserve our marine environment while gradually reducing poverty among our members. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the FishCoRe-BFAR personnel for their guidance, and to DA and LGU Nasipit, led by Mayor Roscoe Plaza and Sangguniang Bayan officials, for their continuing support of this grant project. This has provided our cooperative with vital start-up resources. With God’s grace, we are aiming for greater productivity in the next cycle and hope for sustained partnership as each family moves toward self-reliance and contributes to community development,” Cutas said.

With over P1 million in gross returns from its first production cycle, A-FISHCOOP’s experience underscores the impact of strategic public investment, strong cooperative leadership, and collective action in advancing sustainable fisheries development and inclusive rural growth. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte with a report from BFAR Caraga)