Calamity-hit fisherfolk in northern Cebu were given “typhoon-resilient” cages to help them resume their livelihood.
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) fish cages were distributed to 12 towns in northern Cebu, where bamboo fish cages were destroyed at the height of supertyphoon Yolanda two years ago.
“The fisherfolk before were encouraged to use indigenous materials like bamboo for their fish cages but it is not economically wise for fishermen since they are easily destroyed,” said Edgardo Delfin, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-7) chief of Marine Fisheries Section.
BFAR gave P33 million to the Cebu provincial government to implement the “Build Back Better” program for fisherfolk whose livelihood were affected by Yolanda.
“These can be used to culture high value fish in the open sea such as Lapu-Lapu (grouper), Mangagat or Maya Maya (snapper) or Bangus. These can offer a high income potential for the fisherfolk,” Delfin said.
He said HDPE-made fish cages can help protect their livelihood.
“During strong typhoons, only the nets may be destroyed, not the entire fish cage,” he said.
At least 28 fish cages were turned over and used by fisherfolk associations in Bantayan, Bogo City, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Medellin, Poro, Santa Fe, San Francisco, San Remegio, Tabogon, Tabuelan, and Tudela.
Each cage can house 3,000 fingerlings of either grouper and bangus.
Cebu province plans to distribute fish pots, craft pots, nets, set longlines, and seaweed materials to all Yolanda-hit LGUs.