By HENRY EMPEÑO

SUBIC, Zambales — Two fisherfolk groups in this town are poised to venture into seaweed farming as an alternative means of livelihood in face of an overfished communal fishing ground here.

Members of the Parola Fisherfolk Neighborhood Association based at Barangay Cawag, and the Samahan at Ugnayan ng Mangingisda sa Matain in this town trained on planting seaweed seedlings last week following the launch of a seaweed farming project organized by the Redondo Peninsula Energy, Inc. (RP Energy), the developer of a 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant in the nearby Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Experts from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 3 trained the local fishermen on how to create the net for installing seedling, proper planting, as well as maintaining the seaweed farm to avoid grazing by fishes and ensure quality harvest.

The project involves the set-up of two pilot seaweed nurseries in Cawag and Matain that will later expand into seaweed farms.

The project beneficiaries expect to harvest their first batch of seaweeds 45 days after planting.

Jason Gavina, corporate social responsibility officer of RP Energy, said the project sponsor has sought the help of both technical experts and marketers to ensure the viability of the project.

“Our aim is to develop a market-based livelihood program for our beneficiaries and so we partnered with Weedera, a private corporation based in Iloilo, who will be buying all the produce,” Gavina explained.

“This is complemented by the technical know-how of BFAR experts who will assist the groups in setting up the nurseries,” he added.

According to social benchmarking study conducted by RP Energy, there is a need for alternative livelihood for low-income fishing communities in the locality because Subic Bay has been overfished, so that income from fish harvest can be very seasonal.

The seaweed farming project was so chosen for its potential impact and sustainability, Gavina said.

For this project, RP Energy signed a memorandum of understanding last May 19 with BFAR Region 3, the Subic Bay Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Fisherfolk Association (SBIFARMA), and Farm Capital Corporation, the company behind the brand Weedera, which exports seaweeds to other Asian countries.

RP Energy facilitated the establishment of the seaweed nurseries and coordinated with the beneficiary organizations, while SBIFARMA and Weedera worked together to survey nursery locations.

BFAR, on the other hand, provided its knowhow in monitoring, training, and other technical assistance. Weedera is set to buy the seaweeds produced by the local fisherfolk groups at competitive prices.

Litz Manuel-Santana, vice president of Meralco PowerGen, the majority owner of RP Energy, said the Subic seaweed project “is very promising” because it already has an assured buyer—something that is usually absent in the initial stages of most livelihood projects.

“Having an identified off-taker of the produce ensures the sustainability and profitability of this project,” she added.

According to Weedera president Neil Huele, seaweed products have huge demand especially in Taiwan, China, and Japan.

“In fact, unknown to many, the Philippines is the third largest producer of seaweed in the world. There is still very huge potential,” he said. (30)

PHOTO: Project officers join members of the fishing community in launching a seaweed farming project at Sitio Parola, Barangay Cawag, Subic, Zambales on May 22.