Atty. Asis G. Perez launched the nationwide deployment of payaos for small fishers operating in the country’s municipal fishing areas.
Director Jovita P. Ayson said this is part of the ongoing efforts to provide more stable livelihood opportunities for municipal fishers and at the same time help protect and preserve the country’s fishing areas and resources.
During the Technology Caravan in May this year, BFAR conducted a series of hands-on trainings and awarded fishing gears and payaos to coastal fishers in the towns of Divilacan, Palanan, and Maconacon in Isabela.
Additional six units will be deployed in Dinapigue, Isabela, this week and in Paddaya, Aparri, Cagayan.
Venchito Villarao, project leader of Payao Project in the region pointed out the need to ensure conservation and management of fisheries resource and payao is an answer to this. It is an environment-friendly device and promotes sustainable fishing since gears used near payao areas are selective.
Claveria fisherfolk Arsenio dela Pena, National Gawad Saka finalist as Outstanding Fisherfolk for this year proved that with the presence of payao in their area, tons of fish will be abundant all year round.
“We don’t need to go afar and look for fish because with the payao, there will be plenty of fish," Dela Pena revealed adding that his group, the members of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Management Council set guidelines in fishing discouraging any form of destructive fishing to sustain the resources in the area.
