Alburquerque, Bohol – On June 26, 2024, fifty-four (54) fishers from Tagbilaran and Alburquerque successfully completed an intensive two-day training on Bangus fish cage technology. This program is part of a broader effort to enhance aquaculture skills among local fishers, ensuring both food security and the potential for increased income through sustainable fish farming.

The training, a key component of the FISH Visayas Project, began with an insightful visit to the DA-BFAR Central Bangus Hatchery and the Central Visayas Multi-species Nursery and Demonstration Training Center in Calape, Bohol, on April 2, 2024. Following this, a site evaluation was conducted in Alburquerque, led by Mr. Mark Jonel Leornas from the DA-BFAR Bohol Provincial Fishery Office. Suitable locations for fish cages were identified in Barangay East Poblacion, with essential recommendations for Bangus culture provided during a visit on May 15, 2024.

The two-day training covered critical aspects of Bangus fish cage technology, including site selection, technical design, management, operation, harvesting, and marketing. Fishers from the Eastern Poblacion Fisherfolk Association, Western Unified Fisherfolk Association, Ubujan Fishermen’s Association, and Tagbilaran S Fisherfolk Association were actively engaged in the sessions. They also participated in hands-on technical training, learning to lay out, set up, and knit Bnet for the 7m x 7m Bangus fish cage, facilitated by Mr. Mark Jonel Leornas.

This initiative was a collaborative effort involving the FISH Visayas Project partners, including the AFOS Foundation, the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the DA-BFAR Bohol Provincial Fishery Office, and the local government units of Alburquerque and Tagbilaran. Their support was instrumental in the successful execution of the site visits and training sessions. 

With the training completed, the project is now preparing for the next phase: stocking Bangus fingerlings in the identified fish cage sites. Ongoing monitoring of fish cage operations will be conducted by the project partners to ensure the sustainability of income and livelihoods for the fisherfolk communities in Alburquerque and Tagbilaran.

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