DA-BFAR’S ‘lambaklad’ program raises catch of Occidental Mindoro fishermen

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said fisherfolk in Barangay San Agustin, Occidental Mindoro reported an increase in their daily catch following the implementation of its “lambaklad” distribution program.

In a recent news statement, BFAR said the fishermen are now catching at least a hundred kilograms of fish every day due to the lambaklad unit awarded to them by the department.

“The lambaklad unit that was turned over to the members of the San Agustin Lambaklad Fisherfolk Association is the second lambaklad project under the National Lambaklad Program, a recent program of the Department of Agriculture-bfar, which seeks to help increase fish catch and boost income of small-scale fisherfolk through this environmental-friendly and sustainable fishing technology,” it said.

“This is inline with the department of Agriculture’ s[ DA] goal of sustain ab ly increasing the country’ s fish production while improving fisher folk income,a key strategy under agriculture Secretary William D. Dar’s ‘ONEDA’ reform agenda,” it added.

Citing the association’s catch data, the lambaklad program allowed the fishermen to catch approximately 2,000 kilograms of fish within just two weeks, according to BFAR.

“Set as a form of community-based livelihood program, the project not only provided additional income for the direct beneficiaries, but also gave opportunities for their family members to act as retailers of the catch,” it said.

“The increased catch also augmented fish supply in the community and adjacent municipalities and provided additional income generating activities for fish traders, ice dealers and transporters,” it added.

The BFAR said the lambaklad project in San Jose started last February 2020. The use of lambaklad allowed the fisherfolk beneficiaries to catch more species of fish, a stark contrast from their previous practice when they were using traditional smallscale fishing gears like simple hook and line.

“The fisherfolk association has previously utilized traditional smallscale fishing gears such as simple hook and line, multiple handline, troll line and squid jig in catching tuna, tunalike species, and squid,” it said.

“With its lambaklad unit, however, the association has not only increased its catch, but has also diversified its target species and are now able to catch caranx, barracuda, Spanish mackerel, needlefish, skipjack, eastern little tuna, and queen fish,” it added.

The BFAR, an attached agency of the DA, noted that it has another lambaklad project going on in Jagna, Bohol while two other units are under construction in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte and Morong, Bataan.

“The bureau is also offering technical assistance to local government units, fisheries organization, and other private individuals in the installation and operation of lambaklad,” it said.

The BFAR explained that lambaklad is a sustainable Japanese fishing technology adapted in the Philippines. The fishing technology is “environment-friendly” as it catches fish through allurement, it added.

“The structure of the lambaklad guides fish to swim towards the net and ends up in a bag or cod-end. To avail of this project, fisherfolk organizations or individuals may request assistance from any of BFAR’S Regional Offices,” it said.