By Rowena T. Cruz Mayor Maden Isaac and IDRC representatives meet to discuss aquaculture initiatives. (Guinayangan PIO) GUINAYANGAN, Que...
Mayor Maden Isaac and IDRC representatives meet to discuss aquaculture initiatives. (Guinayangan PIO)
GUINAYANGAN, Quezon - International Development Research Center (IDRC), a Canadian federal crown corporation dedicated to funding research that fosters innovation and creates lasting change in the Global South, recently met with Guinayangan Mayor Maden Isaac. The discussions centered on the potential for collaborative aquaculture projects aimed at strengthening the municipality's vital fisheries sector.
These potential projects aim to use sustainable fish farming methods to increase local fish production, create jobs, and improve community food security by introducing modern techniques adapted to the area. A key benefit could be more stable incomes and a more dependable food supply for residents by offering alternatives to traditional fishing.
The IDRC delegation comprised Dr. Rebecca McMillan, the organization's representative from Canada, who brought extensive expertise in international development research. She was accompanied by Dr. Tabez Nazar from India and Nut Savat from Cambodia, likely contributing valuable regional insights into aquaculture practices and the challenges inherent in their implementation. The team was also joined by Dr. Julian Gonsalvez of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), an organization renowned for its community-driven approach to sustainable development initiatives.
Dr. McMillan highlighted the IDRC's commitment to supporting sustainable development through research and the implementation of innovative solutions tailored to specific local contexts. She underscored the significant potential of well-managed aquaculture to improve livelihoods and increase income for coastal communities like Guinayangan, while also bolstering their resilience against escalating environmental pressures, including climate change and marine ecosystem degradation.
She also noted that a key component of their activities included inspecting potential project sites across various barangays in Guinayangan for the AQUADAPT program. The initiative is specifically designed to support the local fishery sector in addressing challenges related to climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity through the introduction and expansion of sustainable aquaculture.
Mayor Isaac expressed her gratitude to the IDRC for considering their town as a potential partner in this endeavor. He pledged the unwavering support of the local government for both the research and implementation phases of these aquaculture projects, emphasizing the substantial positive impact they could have on the economic well-being of the town's many fishermen.
Guimayangan, known for commercial fishing in the Ragay Gulf, also engages in aquaculture, particularly the production of bangus (milkfish). A portion of their fisheries output includes processed products such as dried fish (tuyo and bislad) and smoked fish (tinapa), with barangays like Manlayo known for supplying these products to regions as far as Batangas and Metro Manila.
The local government has also acknowledged the importance of the fisheries sector, as evidenced by the establishment of a municipal fish port, underscoring the sector's crucial role in the local economy and food systems. This infrastructure investment aims to provide better facilities for local fishermen and improve post-harvest handling of their catch.
The discussions also explored the specific needs and challenges of the fishing communities in the town. Aquaculture was presented as a promising way to offer stable and environmentally responsible alternatives to traditional fishing methods. It also offers enhancements to these existing practices. This suggests a path toward a more resilient and prosperous future for the local fisheries.
No comments