Marine Rehabilitation & Resource Management

COMPONENTS

1. Fishery Resources and Ecological Assessment

To provide scientific foundation for rational management, resource and ecological assessments are being undertaken in priority fishing areas. These studies will form part of the National Fisheries Information System which will continually monitor fish stocks, habitats, ecological parameters and socio economic indicators. Aquaculture areas are also being surveyed so that the Fishpond Lease Agreements of unproductive pond maybe canceled and those that are not suitable for further development maybe reconverted into mangroves.

2. Coastal Resource Management
This component is the core of the resource and environmental rehabilitation thrust of the Program. As a basic implementation strategy, community-based initiatives in resource a management are being encouraged. In cooperation with NGOs, fishermen are being organized and trained to undertake resource enhancement measures such as:
- the establishment of fish sanctuaries and marine reserves;
- the construction of artificial reefs and transplantation of corals; and
- the reforestation of mangrove areas.

Likewise, viable alternative livelihood projects are being identified and developed to draw fishermen into other economic activities, thus relieving the pressure on overfished coastal waters.

3. Research and Extension

This component includes the following:
- the preparation of a comprehensive National Fisheries Research Program
- the networking and upgrading of existing research facilities
- the provision of scholarships and training to meet long-term research and extension staffing needs
- the expansion of fisheries extension services; and
- the conduct of specific priority studies, such as:
i. sea ranching and fish farming
ii. impact evaluation of artificial reefs
iii. red tide investigation and monitoring; and
iv. tuna and cephalopod exploratory fishing.

4. Law Enforcement

Successful law enforcement and effective protection of marine resources in the Philippines requires decentralized efforts, organized and based in individual fishing communities. Thus, assistance in term of training and logistics support are given to community-based task forces composed of local police and government personnel, but more importantly by the fishermen themselves.

5. Credit

This is to support for small-scale fishermen and the intensification of aquaculture production.
A seed fund has been provided to supplement the government’s Integrated Rural Financing Program. Alternative financing schemes have been studied to incorporate NGOs and fishermen’s cooperatives as financial intermediaries. Moreover, private banks are already identified and accredited to extend more credit to the sector through a guarantee fund scheme.

6. Infrastructure

Through this component, post-harvest facilities such as fish landing, cold storage and processing centers will be made available for the sector. Research will be undertaken to develop and promote technologies which will reduce spoilage and upgrade the quality of fishery products.