In a move to preserve La Union’s rich marine resources, the provincial government has launched the “Project Fisheries Refugia” project that also involves communities.
The project is inspired by the province's cooperation with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), specifically the agency's Sustainability and Partnerships for Inclusive Growth and Regenerative Ecosystem (INSPIRE) project.
La Union Governor Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David said the launching of the project underscores the importance of environmental conservation and is a response to the province’s calls to prioritize the environment.
“Through projects such as this, we can safeguard and allow fish population to replenish,” Ortega-David said.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, and the Gerry Roxas Foundation provided support for the project.
The project shall be primarily established in the towns of Balaoan and Aringay, areas situated in the northern and southern parts of the province with known fisherfolk communities.
The said towns and the province as a whole are known nesting sites for turtles and other marine animals, necessitating the need to come up with strategies to sustainably manage coastal habitats.
Problems and issues on coastal and fisheries management shall be addressed with the project’s implementation through governance, and the human and ecological aspects of management.
The governance aspect shall include the proper enactment and implementation of relevant regulations, rules and policies while the human aspect shall seek to improve the lives of the towns’ fisherfolks and the community in general.
Meanwhile, the ecological aspect of the project shall endeavor to sustain and protect the health of the towns’ ecosystem while also increasing the resilience of fish stocks.
Noel Barut, Deputy Chief of Party of the USAID’s Inspire Project, said the primary problem being addressed by the project is the open access to fisheries that leads to overfishing, resulting in a decline of fish stocks.
“To prevent overexploitation and depletion of fish stocks, there is a need to ensure resource sustainability for future generations and the livelihood of communities dependent on the resource,” Barut said.
In a statement of support, Mayor Benjamin Sibuma of Aringay said the project helps not only preserve marine resources but also helps fishing communities relying on fishing as a livelihood.
“This project supports the livelihood of our local fisherman. By allowing fish populations to recover and replenish, we ensure the long-term sustainability of our fishing industry,” Sibuma said.
