BANTAYAN ISLAND, Cebu (PIA) — “Swimming with the fish” may soon be an anticipated experience that visitors can look forward to as an amazing tourism experience in the town of Bantayan, northern Cebu years from now.
But a much larger purpose in the local government’s efforts to rehabilitate its seas is to boost food security amid a growing populace.
Joseph Martin Borromeo, agricultural center chief of the Municipality of Bantayan, proudly shared its Multi-Species Marine Hatchery (MSMH) project as one of the town’s best practices, that aims to regenerate marine resources that have declined due to illegal fishing practices.
“The town of Bantayan is the first to implement this type of hatchery nationwide,” said Borromeo, as bangus is initially being propagated there.
Later on, the hatchery will include high-value fish including blue swimming crabs and pompano, among others.
The municipal MSMH in Barangay Bantigue is one of 15 identified pilot sites in the country for the establishment of legislated multi-species hatcheries, nationwide.
It is supported by RA 10856 of 2016, otherwise known as an act establishing a multi-species marine hatchery in the municipality of Bantayan, province of Cebu and appropriating funds thereof.
RA 10856, authored by the late Cong. Benhur Salimbangon of the 4th District of Cebu, had an appropriation of P30 million budget for the establishment of the MSMH building and its facilities, as well as the procurement of fiberglass reinforced plastic boats with .65 HP marine engines.
Under a full training and phasing-in program, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) initially supervises the hatchery before it is handed over to the local government unit (LGU) for its full operational management in 2025, but with continuing regular technical assistance from BFAR.
Furthermore, a separate management plan initiated by BFAR has made an impact on reinvigorating Bantayan’s marine environment, yielding positive results as blue swimming crabs can now be harvested all year long.
“Bantayan is known for lambay (crabs), which used to be seasonal with a dwindling catch. But now, under strict management, crabs are bountiful in harvest and no longer sporadic. This indicates that our seas are slowly getting regenerated,” Borromeo said.
“Dako gyud na og tabang ang hatchery kag mga fish cage kay bisan kun mag bagyo naa gihapon supply nga para sud-anon naton nga Bantayanon,” said Andres Bawiin, a 53-year-old fisherman from Barangay Tamiao.
(The hatchery is really helping us a lot because even if there are typhoons, we, Bantayanons, will still have food to eat.)
The culture of bangus in the hatchery has resulted in the generous harvest of homegrown bangus and bolstered the town’s seafood production, instead of relying on just sea catch alone.
Catch to culture
Bantayan Mayor Arthur E. Despi initiated the town’s ‘Catch to Culture’ Program, expanding its mariculture project to its coastal barangays, a move seen to ensure food security for every household as fishing is one of the major livelihood sources of the island townsfolk.
“About 80 percent of our fish (in Cebu) come from outside of Cebu. With initiatives such as these, it presents an opportunity for Cebu to eventually harvest its own fishes for our own consumption,” said Borromeo.
Manuel Salvado, 59, a councilor of Barangay Baigad who earns a living fishing, said fisherfolk are happy with the direction Bantayan town has taken.
“Mas nindot man ang plano ni Mayor Art Despi nga ang aton produkto o mga abot sa panagat kita lang gihapon ang mokaon kag mobaligya kay para molambo ang aton ekonomiya sa lungsod,” Salvado said.
(Mayor Art Despi’s plan to rely on our products and catch for our consumption and also to sell will really improve the economy of our town.)
“Mayor Despi is really pushing hard on his strong advocacy on food security. This hatchery may have kicked off in Bantayan first, but we want to contribute, share and influence other local executives on the importance of the hatchery program,” said Borromeo.
Apart from BFAR and the Department of Agriculture whose priority thrust is focused on food security, Borromeo said there are other government agencies that can help LGUs in their aquaculture development plans such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment and even the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Borromeo said they recently welcomed officials from the USAID FishRight who visited Bantayan to check on the status of blue swimming crabs and the town’s MSMH — how it started and what the plans are to sustain its operations.
The government’s efforts have been successful as Borromeo shared that USAID officials gave positive feedback, happy to see good results of the town’s determination to succeed.
“Bantayan wants to showcase a wholesome environment that includes nurturing the seas and developing agri-aquatic resources for future generations,” said the agricultural center chief.
“Our vision is to see that 10 years from now, we will have so much fish that even tourists coming to our town will be able to also swim with the fish,” an attraction that could bolster tourism arrivals and increase seafood production, ended Borromeo. (FCR/PIA7)
