Talim Bay Coastal Resources Management Project

     Lian Fisher Folk Association (LFA), Inc.,  DLSU-COSCA’s partner  organization  of local fishers in  Sitio KayReyna, Lumaniag, Lian, Batangas  continue the regular  reef  checking /  monitoring of  their  Marine  Protected Area (MPA). While we  understand  that the necessary precise information  on the current status  of  Talim Bay coral reef is  being undertaken  in coordination  with the DLSU Biology Department and  or  the  Br. Alfred Sheilds, FSC Marine Station, the  key to getting valuable source  of information for  program stakeholders to  conduct effective management of the coral reef of Talim Bay heavily depends  on the involvement of  community members or  as represented by our  partner local people’s organization (PO), the Lian  Fisher folk Association (LFA), Inc.

     A common objective of LFA’s reef monitoring is to obtain up-dated knowledge on the status of the coral reef. Also,  LFA members, COSCA project staffer or LGU Lian’s Municipal Environment and  Natural Resources Officer undertake reef checking to evaluate management measures implemented  for the Talim bay MPA.  Given these objectives and considering the  potential  of  the organization of local fishers, COSCA, in consultation  with  the fishers in the  community, in partnership  with  the  LGU Lian’s MENRO and with other stakeholders identified problems besetting  Talim bay  and  the  community and  the listed  opportunities available in  the  area.  Possible  options and solutions  were  explored, basically  to  protect  and  conserve the natural  resource  base or the important portion  of the  municipal  coral reef, seagrass beds and  mangrove forest of the bay area.  

     Key  to managing  the Coastal Resource Management initiative is  capacitating  our  partner LFA.  LFA  members were slowly being trained on relevant skills for  reef monitoring.  Initially, LGU Lian’s partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR) trained some  of the  LFA members to  become  Reef Rangers and  First Aid personnel. To further enhance the local people’s skills as Reef Rangers,  COSCA, in partnership with the  Australian Aid – Philippines Australia Community Assistance Program (Aus-Aid PACAP), and LGU Lian supported  the procurement  of  necessary equipment and  the training  of  additional Fishers to be  full-fledged  Reef Rangers. 

     As Reef Rangers, the Fishers are equipped with the necessary skills when facilitating reef  appreciation  activities for students, faculty  and other guests of  LFA.  The  Scuba  Diving training attended  by representatives of  LGU Lian, COSCA  and   Fishers aided  the  local Fishers organization in  the  regular  reef monitoring of  the Talim bay coral reef.  

     This commitment  of the  local  Fishers to help  conserve and protect their natural resource base and the capacity building  provided  by public and  private organizations,  such as  the GlobalGiving earned for the De La Salle University a Highly  Commended Distinction in the  2016 Global University Partnership on Environment and Sustainability (GUPES) Green Gown Awards (the  only Philippine University to  receive the  award among finalists from Asia Pacific.  DLSU’s entry to GUPES highlights COSCA’s consultative process with the fishing community.

      DLSU President, Dr. Raymundo B. Suplido, FSC, PhD shares, “This has become our  source of  institutional pride and at the same  time a reminder that these types of initiative  should be  replicated in other areas, as well.”

Links:

• Local Fishers as Resource Managers
• CRM Initiative receives GUPES Distinction