Central Visayas abalone fishery community research intensified

8 August 2008
Marlowe U. Aquino, PhD

Not known to us is abalone (Haliotis asinina), an endemic fishery species living on marine waters. This simple yet important shellfish commonly found in the coastal waters of Central Visayas is now recognized for its market value.

Due to its abundance, economic and social importance to local fishers, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the region started to study its growth behavior and incorporated community participation to get the most of its value. As such, research has provided an expanded opportunity to define its production management system within a confined condition.

Initially, the research on abalone was funded by the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) to determine its growing behavior, fine tune the production management technology in a confined condition, and determine influencing factors for community involvement in fishery interventions. Complete process documentation was done for the research and served as basis for the expansion and community research on wider marine waters.

Through the research study implemented by BFAR 7 particularly, the Regional Fisheries Research and Development Center (RFRDC) in Calape, Bohol, the team of researchers composed of Ms. Gamelba Dumadag, Mr. Mario Ruinata, and Ms. Rona Abrenica worked on the feeding management and stocking density of the abalone.

The study opened doors for the communities to be involved especially on the hatchery and grow-out characteristics of the shellfish. With the immediate response and feedback on the lessons learned and experiences of the community, researchers were able to established and developed a more defined production scheme that further encourage the people to venture.

Based on this experience, the RFRDC developed and submitted another project to BFAR central office and BAR for more community-based participatory endeavor. This time, it will highlight the principles of action research and community development on marine waters.

The project boosted the capability of the community and the people's responsibility and accountability to be more proactive and innovating for more challenges and opportunities. Eventually, the gains derived by this action research and people's involvement will support the fast pace development of fishery industry in the region for global competitiveness