QUEZON CITY — Strong gains from 23 awarded livelihood subprojects took center stage as the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project completed the first half of its 5th Implementation Support Mission (ISM) on November 21, 2025. These livelihood gains are complemented by parallel and ongoing advancements in fisheries management, which form the backbone of the FishCoRe Project.
The two-week mission, which began on November 11, 2025, was designed to assess the project’s overall progress. It included field visits to several significant sites in Zamboanga del Norte from November 15-18, 2025. The World Bank Team and project implementers engaged with local stakeholders and project beneficiaries such as the Sibutad Farmers and Fisherfolk Association, and evaluated the relevance and sustainability of infrastructure subprojects, including planned laboratory testing facilities in the region, and other interventions on the ground.
Improved Fisheries Management through FISHCRRM
During the mission, project implementers underscored progress in developing and adopting plans and measures that safeguard marine resources while supporting the needs of the fisherfolk and consumers through the Fisheries and Coastal Resilient Resource Planning and Management (FishCRRM) Component.
Key progress include the adoption of Fisheries Management Plans (FMP) for small pelagic species such as Mackerel Scad (Decapterus macarellus) in FMA 6 and Sardines in FMA 9, as well as the FMP for demersal species Siganids in FMA 9.
Awarded Livelihood Subprojects through MARLIN
The FishCRRM Component strengthens fisheries and coastal resource management and works closely with the Modern and Resilient Livelihood Investments (MARLIN) Component, which supports fisheries production through livelihood and enterprise investments. Among the livelihood subprojects awarded during the second half of 2025 are:
- Shellfish (Oyster) Culture Using Bamboo Raft Method in Bolinao and Dasol, Pangasinan, Kawit, Cavite, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, and in Bauang, La Union
- Mangrove Crab Culture in Lian, Batangas, and in Ternate, Cavite
- Bangus Culture in Fish Pen in Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor
- Aquasilviculture Projects (Polyculture of Mangrove Crab, Siganid, and Milkfish) in Candon City, Sta. Cruz, and Caoayan in Ilocos Sur; Sto. Tomas, San Fernando, and Bauang in La Union; and Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte
- Polyculture of Siganid and Milkfish in Cage (G.I. Collapsible) in Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur
- Smoked Milkfish Production in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro
- Bangus Culture in High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Cage in Cabadbaran City and Nasipit, Agusan del Norte
- Bangus Fingerling (Garungan) Production in Buenavista and Tubay, Agusan del Norte
Insights from the World Bank
Ms. Jingjie Chu, Senior Environmental Economist and Task Team Leader at the World Bank, emphasized the importance of innovative thinking in project implementation. “We need to think differently in executing plans created by each FishCoRe component. This includes how we collect data, address Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF), and ensure that long-term needs are met for coastal communities,” she said.
Looking Ahead
The FishCoRe Project, a seven-year project of the Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), and the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), remains loyal to its mission to enhance the resilience of the Philippines’ fisheries sector. With strong support from the World Bank, local governments, and various partner agencies, the project aims to create impact on coastal communities by promoting sustainable fisheries management practices and boosting local economies.
Comments are closed for this post.