Ilocos Norte fishermen’s group receives modern vessel, aid from BFAR

CALASIAO, Pangasinan — A group of fishermen in Ilocos Norte will soon be able to venture into wider commercial fishing waters with greater capacity and safety after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 1 turned over a 62-foot fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) handline fishing vessel and livelihood assistance packages on Thursday (Aug. 13).

The flagship vessel, designed for tuna handline fishing, comes with six 15-foot FRP motorized catcher boats, 15 sets of tuna handline fishing gear, and comprehensive training in vessel operations, maintenance, fish handling and catch reporting, according to BFAR-1.

In addition to the 62-foot vessel, BFAR awarded two 24-foot FRP motorized fishing boats equipped with safety gear to the Gabut Norte Fisherman Association (GNFA), the beneficiary organization from the municipalities of Badoc and Paoay.

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GNFA has 124 registered officers and members, most of whom are engaged in fishing.

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“Some of us own boats, but not everyone has one. As we know, fishing provides no guaranteed income. While we are at sea, there are times when we have a good catch, times when the catch is just enough, and times when we actually incur losses,” said Elvis Salaan, the association’s president.

He said this is the first time the association had received a commercial fishing vessel, “which, for us, is a tremendous help and a major opportunity for our organization because we can now venture into farther fishing grounds without fear.”

Vanessa Dagdagan Alimbuyuguen, BFAR-Ilocos Norte provincial fishery officer, said the commercial fishing vessel would enable the association to venture into an area where a “payaw” has been established about 15 to 20 miles from shore.

“While some of them are able to catch fish there using handlines, they usually contract out the harvest, and they only get a 40 percent share of the harvest. Now, with the commercial fishing vessel, they can access the productive fishing ground themselves and increase their catch and income,” she said.

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BFAR Regional Director Remely Lachica said the initiative is aimed at boosting the livelihood of fishermen and local food security by improving their fishing capacity, safety and productivity.

Ilocos Norte Second District Rep. Eugenio Angelo Barba said the assistance goes beyond providing equipment, as it seeks to give fishermen better opportunities to build secure and sustainable livelihoods for their families and communities.

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“We remain committed to delivering programs that directly serve those who need them most,” Barba said.

BFAR also distributed 150,000 tilapia fingerlings to the local government unit of Pinili and provided three cooking structures to salt producer associations in Badoc and Paoay.

A memorandum of agreement was signed to formalize the livelihood interventions, with the equipment provided under the Development of Salt Industry Project.

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The turnover ceremony was attended by BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig, officials of the Department of Agriculture–Region 1 and provincial officials.