Super Typhoon Yolanda-affected fishermen are now restoring their livelihood by marketing pompano fish harvest in Metro Manila and other areas outside Eastern Visayas.
Pompano fish variety was among the target livelihood sources of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) as part of recovery and rehabilitation support to fishing communities in Samar. The others identified were milkfish, snapper and yellowfin tuna as potential income sources.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) and the BFAR introduced typhoon-resilient submersible fish cages, an innovation made by Japanese firm Nitto Seimo, to fishermen in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
“We harvested about 2,000 pompano fish, and are currently exploring new markets,” said Teresita Sabarillo, vice president of Omangat, a local fishermen’s association composed mainly of women and based in Barangay La Trinidad in Guiuan. “The submersible fish cages allowed us to improve our yield and explore other livelihood opportunities.”
The submersible fish cages are made of high-density polyethylene and have durability and resistance against typhoons and red tide. The fish cages are part of the Jica project called “Verification Survey with the Private Sector for Disseminating Japanese Technologies for Typhoon Resistant Fish Farming Cage with Submersible Function in Philippine Typhoon-Stricken Area.”
The project is part of Jica’s official development assistance (ODA) scheme, where Japanese companies work with relevant government agencies to introduce technologies that address development issues.
Under the project, the Japanese company also introduced gawabari, or Japanese grid mooring system, to make fish cages resilient to strong waves.
Jica has been supporting the reconstruction and rehabilitation for Yolanda, including a grant aid of ¥4.6 billion to support the reconstruction of schools, medical facilities and government offices, as well as provision of equipment to the National Maritime Polytechnic, meteorological radar stations and electric cooperatives to name a few.