In order to address the status and issues of seaweed fisherfolk from 15 barangays surrounding Lamon Bay, Quezon, the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), together with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) conducted a data validation activity on February 23, 2022.

The said activity was aimed to present BFAR CALABARZON’s research study, “Assessment and Geo Mapping of Seaweeds in Lamon Bay”, which will serve as a guide towards the development of Value Chain Analysis (VCAs) and Commodity Investment Plans (CIPs) of the institution and its concerned provinces.

Likewise, the virtual activity was held to present the said research project to its stakeholders.

Project Head Rosella Lucero and staff Jessa Larita led the presentation of data, wherein the geo mapping assessment from the study helped identify the status of the seaweed farms, and the potential/non-potential areas of the bay, with 80% of these farms complaining about diseases and 50% complaining about weather problems.

Providing the closing remarks for the activity, BFAR Regional Fisheries Training and Fisherfolk Coordination Division (RFTFCD) Division Chief Maribeth H. Ramos reiterated that seaweed is an ‘export potential commodity’ and hopes that the data they have collected over the course of two years would aid in the expansion and growth of the seaweed industry here in the country.

“Sana ang aming findings sa research na ito ay inyong maging sapat na gabay sa pag develop ng ating mga VCA at PCIP; to achieve maximum production of seaweeds and increase the income of our seaweed fisherfolks here in Quezon province,” Ramos expressed.

Present during the activity were staff from PSO South Luzon and RPCO I-PLAN Component, BFAR CALABARZON, staff from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Quezon, and fellow local municipal agri-offices in the province. (Eli Ocial, DA-PRDP RPCO CALABARZON InfoACE Unit)

DA-PRDP officers, BFAR CALABARZON, and Quezon PLGU pose for a virtual photo after the activity

A screencap from the presentation of BFAR