2009 Annual Reports - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

ANNUAL REPORT 2009Regional Staff to undertake stock assessmenttogether with the Local Government Units in thestudy areas and to evaluate exploitation level ofthe marine fisheries resources, specifically, marinefishes.For this year, five survey sites for endemicspecies such as elvers, goby fry and crablets wereadded in the province of Cagayan.NSAP technical paper entitled “MarineFisheries Stock Assessment in Batanes Waters(Second Phase)” was presented and awarded 2 ndBest Research Paper during the Research andDevelopment In-House Review on October 1-2,2009 at Arinaya Beach Resort, Pagudpud, IlocosNorte. This was also presented during the 14 thZonal Commodity Research and Development cumTechnology Roadshow for Fisheries at Alad Resort,Caoayan, Ilocos Sur. This paper provides additionalinformation and supporting facts to the benchmarkdata generated during the first phase of the study(October 1997-September 2002) on the status ofmarine resources in Batanes Waters.Two NSAP technical papers – 1) “MarineFisheries Stock Assessment in Babuyan Channel(Second Phase)” and 2) “Marine Fisheries StockAssessment in Batanes Waters (Second Phase)” werealso presented during the Year-end PerformanceReview and Evaluation at the Crown Regency Hotel,Cebu City. Resource Persons from the differentinstitutions such as the FISH – Fisheries Improved forSustainable Harvest Project and the NFRDI – NationalFisheries Research and Development Instituteemphasized on the urgent need for informationon the actual state of our major fishing grounds,which will be the basis of resource managers on theformulation of policies and management measuresfor the sustainable development and conservation ofthis highly valuable but already dwindling resources.NSAP length frequency data for Batanesand Cagayan were also used to estimate length atfirst maturity of ten commercially important speciesin Babuyan Channel and Batanes Waters. Dataon length at first maturity are vital inputs for thepossible introduction and adoption of “fish ruler,”a resource management strategy which determinesthe optimal size of fish before it can be caught.Fish ruler indicates length of fish at first maturity ofselected fish species, a simple tool used as referenceor guide for fisherfolk (not to capture) and fortraders, retailers (not to sell) and for consumers (notto buy) fishes smaller than the indicated length sizes.It is also used by resource managers as reference.NSAP Project Leaders pose with Dr. Gerry Silvestreduring the National Consultation Meeting and Workshopat Ciudad Christia, Rizal.NSAP enumerator helping the fishermen during oneof her sampling days.An Ivatan unloading his catch in Valugan, Basco withhis prized catch - dolphinfish locally known as dorado.23