When helping Yolanda survivors: Expert discourages boats as aid

CEBU, Philippines - After super typhoon Yolanda struck last November 8, many survivors, especially those in Bantayan Island, received fishing boats so they can start their lives anew.

This, however, may not be a good idea, according to a prominent Filipino scientist.

Dr. Angel Alcala, president emeritus of Siliman University, said that from the tons of fishes caught in an hour’s time decades ago, today’s fish catch has been reduced by 80 to 90 percent.

He said that in Santa Fe’s Hilantagaan area, fishermen these days spend three hours to get of only around 250 grams.

What’s ironic, he said, is that the area hosts “one of the best reefs” in the province, the Hilantagaan Marine Reserve.

“There is an 80 to 90 percent loss of biomass compared in the 1930s or ‘40s,” Alcala said.

He presented this finding at the “Understanding Vulnerabilities” forum hosted by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.

The “Status of the Marine Ecosystem in Bantayan Island: A Basis for Rehabilitation and Livelihood” study was also funded by RAFI.

During the forum, the former environment and natural resources secretary of the country, discussed the status of three marine reserves and adjacent fishing sites in Bantayan three months after Yolanda.

The study was intended to “serve as basis for coastal and marine ecosystem rehabilitation vis-a-vis livelihood interventions for the fisheries sector” after the super typhoon.

And because of the reduced fish catch, Evelyn Nacario-Castro of RAFI said they may have to suspend the foundation’s planned distribution of fishing boats to local fishers in Bantayan Island, as the study has cast doubt if these boats would still be useful to the fisherfolks.

“What’s the use of the boat?” she said, adding that in Panay Island, there are reportedly several boats that are now idle as there is no longer fish in the area.

For his part, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 7 Director Andres Bojos, who was one of the forum reactors, did not say outright that the boats are inappropriate donations, but told the audience that their agency is not pushing for increased fishing activities because of the declining number of fish to catch.

To address the problem, Alcala made several recommendations, including assistance of non-marine food for the people and for the community to allow fishes to recover to a 100-ton biomass per square kilometer in non-fishing grounds.

He said alternative livelihood must also be introduced to fishing communities so the seas can get a reprieve.

He also advised against catching parrot and surgeon fishes, which help corals repair and develop, but which Bojos said is a “gargantuan task,” as it is like asking people not to eat this kind of fish.

But Bojos was hopeful that if the community and the fisherfolk are properly educated this may happen, not right away, but “in time.” —/RHM (FREEMAN)