Fisherfolk association in Claver, Surigao Norte makes sustainable bangus harvest through DTI-LGU mariculture platform
Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — Demonstrating the power of community-led aquaculture and modern infrastructure, the Cabugo Fisherfolks Association (CAFA) recently harvested another batch of high-grade bangus (milkfish) at their offshore mariculture site in Barangay Cabugo in Claver, Surigao del Norte.
The operation centres on a 15-meter-diameter mobile mariculture platform through the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Shared Service Facility (SSF) Program, in partnership with the local government of Claver.
According to DTI-Surigao del Norte, the SSF model addresses resource constraints among small-scale coastal workers by granting association members collective access to commercial-grade equipment and specialised floating infrastructure. With active facility management, it transforms local fisherfolk from individual subsistence gatherers into organised market suppliers, securing steady profit margins across harvest cycles.
It added that the mobile and circular design optimises water circulation and oxygen exchange, yielding healthier stock and lower mortality rates compared to traditional fixed wooden cages. “Unlike stationary fish pens, mobile mariculture platforms offer crucial flexibility, allowing operators to maneuver or secure the structure during rough seas and shifting climate conditions common to Surigao’s coastal stretches.”
Tatay Elias, a member of CAFA, extended gratitude to DTI for providing them with vital equipment and facility support through the SSF Program. “The SSF Program has transformed our operations, boosted our productivity, and empowered small-scale fisherfolk like me to achieve sustainable economic growth.”
”This bountiful harvest belongs not just to our association, but to the entire community that continues to support local products. As we move forward, we remain committed to responsible aquaculture and contributing to local food security,” he said.
The LGU of Claver also shared that the steady volume of fresh milkfish feeds directly into the town’s local supply chains, bolstering regional food security, while stimulating enterprise growth across neighbouring barangays.
Through sustained collaboration between CAFA, LGU Claver, and DTI, coastal infrastructure projects continue to prove their worth as engine rooms for inclusive economic growth and sustainable coastal resource management. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DTI-Surigao del Norte)
