News
Socio-economic and experimental fishing data collection with Western Philippines University researchers
September marks a fruitful month for the data collection of Project SHAMA. Together with our research partners from Western Philippines University (WPU), we conducted household surveys and experimental fishing for 2023 in a span of 10 days.
The first five days consisted of coasting to five barangays around Shark Fin Bay to collect socio-economic household data and the remaining five days consisting of conducting experimental fishing with local fishers in the outrigger boats called bangkas.
Third Scuba Diving Training with Bantay Dagat and LGU Representatives
The third scuba diving training with Plongeurs du Monde, was held this August 2023 in Pangatalan Island. The training was attended by members of the Bantay Dagat for the Shark Fin Bay MPA Network and LGU representatives.
Certifying 7 Advanced Open Water Divers and 4 Divemasters, the training was fruitful and the trainees built support for each other. This was the first dive training in Sulubaaï that certified divemasters, all of whom did well in their theory and dive classes.
This training catalyzes the operation of the Shark Fin Bay MPA Network, sharing the capacities for the eco-guards to better protect their environment.
The training culminated to a graduation event in Pangatalan Island along with some family member of the trainees and was filled with proud tears of accomplishment, especially for the four new divemasters who has come a long way from being newly certified divers just last year.
Information, Education, and Communication Campaign in Shark Fin Bay Barangays
The month of July was filled with IEC campaigns for three barangays in Shark Fin Bay: Barangay Sandoval, Barangay Silanga, and Barangay Depla.
The campaign was about the objectives and regulations of the Shark Fin Bay MPA Network. Along with this, we also presented some scientific results from the data that we have been collecting on the effects of protecting our marine resources.
The success of the campaigns was culminated with many interested locals on the ecological, fisheries, and socio-economic data we presented to them.
Citizen Science Fish Visual Census
Four newly certified PADI Rescue Divers now have a new title to add to their roster: citizen scientist. Last May, the four fisherfolks were trained to conduct a simplified fish visual census developed by Dr. Rene Abesamis of Silliman University. After a two-day training, our citizen scientists collected data for six days in 16 sites around Shark Fin Bay.
This was towards the goal of establishing an independent monitoring team for the Shark Fin Bay Marine Protected Area Network.
Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Shark Fin Bay Environmental Research Center
The construction for the Shark Fin Bay Environmental Research Center has begun last February 2023, which was commenced by a groundbreaking ceremony.
The ceremony was attended by the French Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Michèle Boccoz, DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Gonzaga, and local representatives from the Barangays in Shark Fin Bay including the presidents of the fisherfolks associations and barangay captains. The mayor of Taytay, Christian V. Rodrigez was also present as well as the management council members of the Shark Fin Bay Marine Protected Area Network who took a break from the management planning workshop to attend the ceremony.
Second scuba diving training
This February 2023, Plongeurs du Monde's second scuba diving training came to an end. This stage two of the training has certified seven new PADI Open Water and Advanced Open Water divers and eight new PADI Rescue Divers. These divers will take part in the ecological monitoring of the Shark Fin Bay MPA Network and will be eco-guards for their local MPA.
The atmosphere during the two-week dive training was filled with solidarity and smiles. Many diving students are eager to advance to higher levels of diving.
The scuba diving training culminated in a graduation event on Pangatalan Island with the families of the newly certified divers and a beach clean-up in Barangay Sandoval.
Experimental fishing
The first leg of scientific monitoring kicked off last September 2022 with four days of going off to the sea with local fishers and their outrigger boats (bangka). This data collection intends to determine the effects of the Pangatalan Island Marine Protected Area (PIMPA), along with the newly ordained MPA network for the years to come.
Aboard the small fishing vessels are researchers from Sulubaai Environmental Foundation and fishers turned in scientists, armed with their hook and line, bait and measuring tapes. "This place used to be filled with fish," recalls Val, an experimented fisher in one of his favorite spots after not catching any fish for almost 20 minutes. "We didn't have to go far before, but more people started to settle and fish here so there isn't much left anymore".
With fishing yields in the bay declining these past several years, the MPA network hopes to replenish the declining fish population and allow Val, along with many more fishers to continue with their livelihoods.
Scuba diving trainings with Fisherfolk Associations and LGU representatives
July 2022 was a first stepping stone for Shama with the diving certification (PADI Advanced Open Water) of twelve local Fisherfolk and representatives from the municipal and provincial administrations.
This successful experience will be repeated and these new local divers will be trained to the Rescue or Divemaster level. The objective will be for them to take part in the ecological monitoring of coastal resources in the Shark Fin Bay, or be employed as eco-guides helping curious people discover and dive in the bay.
