Philippine Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala (2nd from right) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Environment, Energy, and Climate Change Chief Rolf Anderson (2nd from left). With them looking are DA-BFAR Director Asis G. Perez. (extreme right) and ECOFISH Chief of Party Geronimo Silvestre (extreme left).
Location: Philippines (eight marine key biodiversity areas nationwide)
Duration: October 2012-September 2017
Funder: USAID
Description:
The rich coastal and marine ecosystems are among the many natural treasures that the Province of Surigao del Norte is noted for. More than 14,000 hectares of mangrove forests cover the coasts of the mainland and the islands of Siargao and Bucas Grande. The province likewise boasts of other coastal and marine habitats like sea grass beds and coral reefs that support a rich and diverse marine life. Over 23 different species of fish caught year round include marlin, tuna, lapu-lapu, mollusks, crabs, squids, stingrays and octopus.
The Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries (ECOFISH) Project, a five-year project of the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) funded by the USAID, aims to improve the management of these important coastal and marine resources and associated ecosystems that support livelihoods and economies. The project is designed to conserve biological diversity in eight marine key biodiversity areas, enhance ecosystem productivity and restore profitability of fisheries in select marine key biodiversity areas using ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management.