Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur – Mindanao, the Philippines’ second largest island with 9.7-million hectares of land area not to include the major islands, has some of the country’s richest fishing grounds.
Using handlines, fishermen could catch large Tuna in most coastal towns, especially those facing the Pacific Ocean, the Celebes Sea, the Moro Gulf and the Sulu Sea.
During the fishing season, fish prices could go down to as low as P30 per kilo while in the islands like TawiTawi, Sulu and Basilan, fish is sold by small piles or “tumpok,” not by the kilo.
In the fishing villages of Zamboanga Peninsula, a kilo of “Tamban,” the species used for sardines making, could go down to as low as P5 per kilo during peak season.
What is remarkable about the fishermen of Mindanao is the fact that they have not abused the seas.
While there are isolated incidents of blast fishing, fishermen’s groups have agreed among themselves to declare closed fishing season once a year to allow fish to spawn and multiply.
This has resulted in bountiful and sustained harvest of fish and sea products of Mindanao Seas.
In March this year, travelling by land from Dapitan City to Cotabato, I dropped by the small town of Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur to buy some fresh and dried fish for the family.
I had been to this place before while travelling from Zamboanga City back to Kidapawan and I was impressed by the quality of fish catch of the local fishermen.
On the day I passed by the fish port, the local fish traders said the price was quite high because the waters were rough.
But still, a kilo of “Tamban” or Sardines fish was only P50 for the small size and P90 for the big ones.
Fresh tropical fish ideal for grilling was sold for P60 per kilo while a large Pandawan was at P140 per kilo.
What was inspiring was the story related to me by the fisheries officer of Tukuran, Said Embol, who said that since the year 2002, local fishermen have organized their own Bantay Dagat to stop illegal fishing.
The result of this collective effort is a thriving fishing industry in Tukuran where about 5 tons of fish are landed.by small fishermen every day.
This sustains the livelihood of people and allows consumers to buy fresh fish at very affordable prices.
Life is easy and beautiful in My Mindanao!
(This is a repost of the 4th Episode of Beauty & Bounty of Mindanao was produced by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) as part of its advocacy to present the other face of Mindanao, Sulu and the other islands. Tbis video presentation was prepared by the Beauty & Bounty of Mindanao Media Team for the Mindanao Development Authority.)
https://fb.watch/aNXLaXUdLs/
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