Ubay, Bohol – On June 11, 2024, 43 (forty-three) fishers from Ubay and Pres. Carlos P. Garcia completed a two-day training on Bangus fish cage technology culture. The training program aims to equip fishers with aquaculture skills, ensuring a stable fish supply for food security and potential profits.

The activity is a well-packaged intervention initiated through the FISH Visayas Project. After visiting the DA-BFAR’s Central Bangus Hatchery and Central Visayas Multi-species Nursery and Demonstration Training Center in Calape, Bohol on April 2, 2024, a site evaluation was conducted by DA-BFAR to identify appropriate fish cage sites in Ubay. Mr. Mark Jonel Leornas of the DA-BFAR Bohol PFO identified suitable locations in Barangay Cagting and Cuya, providing essential recommendations for Bangus culture during the visit on May 16, 2024.

Ensuring that fishers have a sufficient understanding of bangus production and fish cage maintenance, the two-day bangus fish cage technology cuture training was initiated. Fishers acquired knowledge and skills in Bangus fish cage site selection, fish cage technical design, management, operation, harvesting, and marketing.

Essentially, fishers from the Aguininghong Pundok sa Yanong Mananagat, Kahugpungan sa Gagmay’ng Mananagat sa Saguise, Cagting Small Farmers and Fishers Association, and Cuya Farmers and Fisherman Association were engaged. More than this, fishers were immersed in a technical session in laying out, setting up, and knitting the Bnet for the 8m x 8m Bangus fish cage. This is done through the facilitation of Mr. Mark Jonel Leornas, Aquaculture Technician II, and Ms. Irene T. Lazarra, Aquaculture Technician I of DA-BFAR Bohol Provincial Fishery Office.

The activity is done collaboratively by the FISH Visayas Project partners in Bohol. The site visits and training are supported by AFOS Foundation, the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, DA-BFAR Bohol Provincial Fishery Office, and local government units of Ubay and Pres. Carlos P. Garcia. Bohol.

Moving forward, the project is preparing for the stocking of bangus fingerlings on the identified fish cage sites. Close monitoring of fish cage operations shall be implemented by the project partners to ensure the sustainability of income and livelihood of the fisherfolk communities in Ubay and Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Bohol.

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The Training on Bangus Fish Cage Technology Culture in Ubay aspires to achieve Result Area 1: Training for Fishermen and MSMEs and Result Area 3: Market Access of the FISH Visayas Project.