Payao Livelihood Project Increases Yield for Marginal Fishers

Pinamalayan and Gloria, Oriental Mindoro - Malampaya Foundation Inc (MFI)-supported fisherfolk organisations in the municipalities of Pinamalayan and Gloria in Oriental Mindoro have observed increases in fish catch yields by a range of 3-8kg/day since MFI and the organisations launched the payao livelihood projects in March and April of this year.

The payao projects have likewise helped reduce fishing effort amongst the fisher-members by some 50-90% and organisation leaders have cited initial improvement in daily income-levels. The payaos, while serving as an established fishing area for local fishers, are also functioning as boundaries to deter outsiders and commercial fishers from encroaching into municipal waters.

Beneficiaries of the payao projects are Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Mangingisda ng Barangay Banilad, Samahan ng Mangingisda ng Ranzo and Samahan ng Mangingisda ng Agsalin, all of whom signed a conservation covenant with MFI and the local governments as part of the Verde Island Passage Conservation Program.