Fish catch in the Davao Region up in 2015

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the Davao Region has recorded a 9.5% increase in fish catch in the Davao Gulf.

“We noted an increase of 9.5 percent in fish catch following the strict implementation of the closed season and other programs of BFAR last year,” BFAR-Davao Director Fatma Idris said.

Idris said the growth in the fisheries production resulted to a 22 percent fish sufficiency in 2015. This confirms that the region is still one of the top contributors in the country’s fisheries production.

"This implies that the production can suffice the 22 percent of the fish requirement in the region given the number of population," Idris said.

The Bureau has recorded a total fish production of 251,342 metric tons from 2012 to 2015 based on the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) data.

There was however a 22.5 percent decrease in the production from 2013 to 2014 due to the series of tropical storms, but the production bounced back from 2014-2015.

Idris said the increase can be attributed to the ongoing implementation of the Closed Season for the Conservation of Small Pelagic Fishes at Davao Gulf and increase in aquaculture and marine municipal sub-sectors.

The implementation of the Targeted Actions to Reduce Poverty and Generate Economic Transformation (Target) Program in the Fisheries Sector has also helped increase fish production in the region.

The five mariculture parks in Panabo City and Samal in Davao del Norte, Pantukan town, Compostela Valley, Mati City in Davao Oriental, and Malita in Davao Occidental had a major share in the increased fish production.

From 2012 to 2015, a total of 20,099 metric tons of bangus and other high value species were produced from the five mariculture parks, including mariculture zones in Malalag, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Maria towns and Digos City in Davao del Sur.

PSA data shows that  the total production of bangus was at 90,922 metric tons from 2012 to 2015, while seaweeds had a total production of 18,076 metric tons in the same period.

"The remarkable production has provided job employment opportunities and livelihood in Davao region," Idris said.

3-month closed season in Davao Gulf set

The three-month closed season for the Davao Gulf will resume beginning June to allow tuna and other fish species to spawn.

A Joint Administrative Order by the secretaries of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Interior and Local Government mandated the implementation from June 1 to August 31 of the closed season in the Davao Gulf.

“The closed season for commercial fishing boats aimed to conserve marine resources, to secure the spawning period of pelagic fishes in the gulf and improve the country’s compliance with the European Commission’s regulations specifically on unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing,’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Davao Region Director Fatma Idris said.

She said the Davao Gulf is an ideal and potential spawning and breeding ground for tuna and tuna-like species. Of the 49 municipalities in the region, 30 are categorized as coastal.

Idris said study confirms that tuna spawns inside Davao Gulf where most of them can be found near the mouth of the gulf. Thus, she added, special attention and strict enforcement s should be given near the mouth and eastern portion of the gulf where high concentrations of tuna was found.

The government's campaign against IUUF is one of the measures being implemented to remove the country's yellow card tag given by the European Union (EU).

Perez said unless the country shapes up and complies with the other conditions set by EU then it may be banned from exporting its fish resources in one if its main markets. The Philippines has exported P9.4 billion of fish products to the EU in 2014.

Under the terms of the Closed Season, fishermen or fishing companies will not be allowed to catch pelagic fishes using ringnet and bagnet. The ban also applies to small-scale to large scale commercial fishing with vessels from 3.1 gross tons (GT) to more than 150 GT. (lovely carillo)

Samal Caracoles Festival Launched

Caracoles Festival

Samal Island is cashing in on the summer heat made more unbearable by the El Nino phenomenon by offering more than their cool, white sand beaches. This time, tourists are expected to get enamored to Samal Island from sundown to sunrise through the Caracoles Festival which is usually being held during the last Saturday of April.

The Davao Region Tourism Council supported by the Department of Trade and Industry officially opened the Summer Fun in the Sun program at the Gaisano Mall of Davao yesterday and presented the 2010 Caracoles Festival to the public with a sampling of the creative marine-life inspired dances by the Mugnapak Dancers.

“This is already the 3rd Fun in the Sun for the region and this should send a positive signal to the public that all tourism destinations here are ready to provide them with all the fun they can get under the sun,” Regional Tourism Council secretary Araceli Ayuste said.

The highlight of the “Fun in the Sun” program is the Caracoles Festival which will be back to Samal Island after being held at the Sta. Ana Wharf in 2009. The Festival will be held specifically at the Penaplata Elementary School in Samal Island and the fun begins at 6 o’clock in the evening.

“We expect the Caracoles Festival as well as the overall Fun in the Sun program to bring in lots of income for establishments in Samal Island,” Ayuste said. She encouraged everyone who wanted a taste of island living to join them for the Caracole Festival as it is guaranteed to be a non-stop party for the guests.

She said the program is a continuation of the five-day Gulf Dive so it is expected to be a pretty long summer holiday for those visiting Samal Island. But even those who just want to stay overnight without checking in on one of the resorts can still enjoy the Caracoles as they don’t need to sleep all night.

The Caracoles Festival is one of the four Davao Region festivals included in DOT’s extensive promotion including Kadayawan Festival in Davao City, the Musikahan Festival in Tagum, Davao del Norte and the Bulawanon Festival in Compostela Valley.