A non-government organization working for the protection of the Tañon Strait will launch on Monday its search for individuals in Negros Oriental and Cebu for their achievements in the fields of conservation, enforcement and in ensuring sustainable fisheries management in Tañon Strait.
Oceana Philippines, together with lead partners, the Department of Environment & Natural Resources, the Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, the Provinces of Cebu,Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, RARE, and the Tañon Strait Protected Area Office, will launch the Ocean Heroes Award for 2017 at a hotel in Cebu City.
Similar awards were also given last June 8, 2016, coinciding with World Oceans Day.
Oceana Philippines is giving this award is in recognition of members of the community who have consistently worked for the protection of the habitats and biodiversity in Tañon Strait and have inspired others to be an agent for change in effecting policies geared towards sustainable fisheries management in the protected seascape, a statement said.
Invited to the launching are Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide, Gov. Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental and Gov. Alfredo Marañon of Negros Occidental, as well as officials from the DENR, BFAR, RARE and other partners.
Tañon Strait lies between the provinces of Negros and Cebu with Oceana Philippines actively campaigning to curb illegal commercial fishing in this marine-rich protected area. (JFP)
