Seaweed is one of the identified priority commodities in the province of Camarines Norte. They are the leading producer of seaweeds in the Bicol region with a mean volume of production of 30,746.04 metric tons and a contribution of 59.41% in the years 2009-2020 (PSA 2009-2020). 

However, there is an evident decline and loss of production brought by the ice-ice disease, epiphytes, and the inevitable strong typhoons that hit the region. 

To help seaweed farmers gain more knowledge in seaweed farming, the Camarines Norte State College – Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (CNSC- IFMS) (CNSC) conducted a study on the Production and Technology Assessment of Seaweeds (ProTechASeaweeds) to support the seaweeds industry in the province.

In partnership with the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP), with assistance from the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPAG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-5), the study will be conducted on six project sites in Camarines Norte where seaweed farming is still active, namely, the municipality of Sta. Elena, Capalonga, Paracale, Jose Panganiban, Vinzons and Mercedes.

According to the project leader of the ProTechASeaweeds Project, Mr. Darwin Biag, this project is intended to support the locals of Camarines Norte to have an additional livelihood and to help the fisherfolks divert from illegal fishing.

Biag also said that this project aims to determine the appropriate management measures, strategies, or interventions like technology development to prevent seaweed diseases like the ice-ice disease and the epiphytes that result in a high economic loss of seaweeds in the province. 

On the other hand, CNSC President Dr. Marlo De La Cruz extends his support to the ongoing project because he believes that this project can address the problems and issues in seaweed farming.

The CNSC research team will continue to conduct field interviews, water quality testing, geo-mapping, underwater survey and health monitoring of the seaweeds planted. 

I-PLAN subcomponent 1.2 aims to support the implementation of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Plan (AFMP) of the Department of Agriculture (DA). Eligible projects, activities, and programs are based on their contribution in decision-making, planning, programming, and budgeting as well as to address the identified gaps in the Value Chain Analysis and issues in the Commodity Investment Plans.  (Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)

RPCO I-PLAN Planning Officer, Peter Theodore Caro asked the project leader on the number of areas planted with seaweeds in Cayucyucan, Mercedes, Camarines Norte. Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)

PSO I-PLAN Unit Head, Jo Marie Libarnes took a short snorkeling and underwater survey along seaweed areas with Lennon Edoria and Sir Richmond Hombre ProTechASeaweeds Research Assistants. Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)

PSO I-PLAN Unit Head, Jo Marie Libarnes took a short snorkeling and underwater survey along seaweed areas with Lennon Edoria and Sir Richmond Hombre ProTechASeaweeds Research Assistants. Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)

Project leader of the ProTechASeaweeds project presented the project updates, initial findings, and the ongoing activities of the team to the CNSC President Dr. Marlo De La Cruz and the PSO-RPCO I-PLAN team, IFMS Director, Dr. Manuel Alberto, Vice President for Research & Extension, Rosalie A. Almadrones, Research Director Dr. Eduardo Abad, Nicole Anne Panotes, Rosemarie G. Aldeza, Charlene E. Teoxon, and the ProTechASeaweeds Research Assistants. (Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO V

Mr. Darwin Biag shows the progress report of the Production and Technology Assessment of seaweeds (ProTechASeaweeds) project in Camarines Norte to Dr. Marlo De La Cruz, CNSC President.Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)

The CNSC team, together with the PRDP PSO-RPCO team and the ProTechASeaweeds project team posed for a photo inside the CNSC Campus before heading to one of the project sites in Mercedes, Camarines Norte. Photo by: Michelle Angela G. Alfigura, DA-PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)