BOHOL, Philippines (6 Feb 2004) -- It was 4 a.m. The rented tricycle zigzagged its way to Sinandigan in Ubay, Bohol. The road was narrow, muddy and bumpy. Elemental rain was showering from time to time, but the staff of Project Seahorse Foundation for Marine Conservation was all set to celebrate the organization's first anniversary with the residents of Barangay Sinandigan, and to campaign with them in amending the Fisheries Code to allow sustainable resource use. Project Seahorse chose to celebrate its one-year gains with its partner coastal residents and fisherfolk organizations. With 16 people's organizations it organized and federated covering the provinces of Bohol and Cebu (and soon Leyte), and some opportunities to present in international conferences such as the World Fisheries Congress in Canada and the 10th International Coral Reef Symposium in Japan this year, the foundation had every reason to celebrate. Andres Cutara, Sinandigan barangay captain, welcomed the staff. He promised to mobilize his constituency to fully protect and guard the new marine sanctuary, which was established through the assistance of the foundation, the local government unit of Ubay and the provincial government through the Bohol Environmental Management Office (Bemo). The Project Seahorse staff took time off from their daily routines and joined the residents in cleaning the beach of unwanted non-biodegradable wastes. Newly certified rescue diver and biologist Hazel Panes said, "I am moved by the commitment of fishers in protecting their seas and I feel it memorable to celebrate our anniversary with them. I am happy to be with the team." Cleaning the coastline The residents, led by Kamada local community organizer and Sinandigan barangay councilor Allan Cuyag stormed the coastline, collecting 14 sacks of thrash. Earlier, he coordinated with the local school, which sent a delegation of Grade 5 and Grade 6 pupils to help clean the area. | | In the afternoon, the Kamada Sinandigan Chapter apprehended a fishing boat which used a prohibited fishing gear, a drag trawl with very small mesh called libaliba, along the Danajon Bank. The fishers were made to sign an agreement not to use the prohibited gear again; they were released afterwards. Cuyag remarked that since the neighboring barangays and towns became strict in the implementation of fishery laws, illegal fishers land their catch in their barangay daily. Financiers of illegal fishing wait in the shore with their trucks and then sell the catch to neighboring towns and provinces of Bohol. "Our action today should send a clear signal to illegal fishers that we will not tolerate again their illegal fishing practices," Cuyag told the staff of the foundation in Cebuano. They are thankful that the foundation organized them so they can express their collective voices. The road was indeed bumpy and muddy but it is the coastal communities like Sinandigan, which continuously inspire the foundation to strive for more. The Project Seahorse Foundation for Marine Conservation will always be steadfast in its commitment and walk side by side with the coastal communities in reaching their vision, be that of ending illegal and destructive fishing practices or advocating the amendment of Section 97 of the Philippine Fisheries Code, a vision towards sustainable marine resource use. SOURCE - Sun Star |
