A seaweed nursery module for Negros Oriental has been launched to assist fisherfolk in increasing their livelihood while combating climate change and illegal fishing activities.
“The project reeled off Wednesday with preparatory activities prior to the actual planting of seaweeds to be brought in from Palawan,” said Edward Du, president of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
The project is undertaken by NOCCI in partnership with the Cangmating Bible Seaweed Farmers’ Cooperative, the local government unit of Sibulan, the Negros Oriental Divers Association, the Department of Environment & Natural Resources, and the Zamboanguita Diving Resorts & Leisure Association.
The project site is situated at a foreshore land in barangay Cangmating, Sibulan, fronting the beach house of a businessman who hired a security guard to monitor the ensuing activities alongside the beneficiary-fisherfolk, Du said.
The Cangmating Bible Seaweed Farmers’ Cooperative has about 30 members, he said.
The preparatory activity included the deployment of ropes, floaters, blinkers and sandbags at the seaweed-growing site.
The planting of seedlings will commence next week with an estimated 60 days of growing the seaweed prior to the first harvest, Du said.
The NOCCI President said the experimental seaweed module is a pioneering livelihood eco-tourism project also in collaboration with the province, with the chamber coming up with a proposed ordinance soon.
Du said they are hopeful the experiment will succeed so they can forge ahead and penetrate the commercial markets.
“Not only will this project benefit the fishermen but the seaweed culture contribute to climate change adaptation, such as shoreline protection, and at the same time,” he said.
The seaweed aquaculture project is also seen to discourage fishers from spearfishing in sanctuaries and protected areas which is illegal, he added. (MP)
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Photo Caption: Fishermen hail the newly-launched seaweed nursery through the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and the Cangmating Bible Seaweed Farmers’ Cooperative. (Contributed photo)
