Underwater fish cages! Samar, Leyte Fishermen Learn From ST Yolanda

The key to our survival as a nation on the path of typhoons would be our ability and readiness to adapt and adjust to the realities of Climate Change.

The fishermen in the waters of the islands of Samar and Leyte, whose fish cages and livelihood were destroyed by the 2013 Super Typhoon Yolanda have shown that they could adopt new technology and adjust to survive.

When their flimsy bamboo fish cages were destroyed by the strong waves during the typhoon, they embraced the Japanese designed submerged and submersible fish cages to grow Bangus and other high value fish species.

The submerged and submersible fish cages assures the fishermen that during typhoons, the big waves would not whip and destroy the fish cages just like before.

The submersible fish cage technology was introduced by the Japanese firm Nitto Seimo under a partnership program with the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA).

Made out of high density polyethylene pipes which are filled with seawater, the submersible fish cages were protected from damage caused by wind and waves.

A JICA report said “the fish cages help promote sustainable farming in Typhoon Yolanda areas like Basey, Guiuan, and Tacloban, ensuring 76% survival rate of fish stocks even during typhoons. When Typhoons Ruby and Urduja hit the region in 2014 and 2017 respectively, no damage was reported on said fish cages, whereas traditional fish cage operators suffered substantial losses in their grouper and milkfish stocks.”

The technology was later improved and customized for Philippine conditions and a Filipino company, Inca Mariculture Plastics based in Cebu City and Batangas now fabricates and installs these fish cages.

When I learned of this technology, I contacted Inca Plastics and they agreed to establish a model fish cage farming area in the island of Olutanga in Zamboanga Sibugay.

They donated four units of the submerged fish cages for Bangus and Lobster growing and provided technical support to the fisherfolk in the area.

I am sharing this success story of adaptation to Climate Change in the hope that this would give hope to those adversely affected by Typhoon Odette.

#KungGustoMaramingParaan!

#CrisisPresentsOpportunities!

(Photos were provided by Inca Mariculture Plastics.)