200 marginal fishermen get fishing gear from Albay CRABS

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Poor and marginalized Albay fisherman can now look forward to a more sustainable livelihood after their provincial government provided them vital fishing gears.

The Albay provincial government recently distributed fishing equipment to 200 of its sustenance fishermen under its CRABS++ program as part of its continuing fight against poverty particularly in coastal villages.

CRABS stands for the four main islands of Albay along its Pacific coast --  Cagraray, Rapurapu, Batan and San Miguel -- where a special poverty alleviation program was pioneered by Albay Gov. Joey Salceda. It is also the acronym for Coastal Resource Agri-Bio System Development Program Strategy or CRABS++, the special program’s official name.

Salceda said the distribution of fishing gears is also aimed at fully stamping out sporadic illegal fishing in the waters of Albay, protecting the environment and providing sustainable income source for marginal fishermen in these areas.

The CRABS++ or CRABS plus-plus program is referred to as such because its original area coverage – the four islands – was expanded to include Albay’s western coastal areas. A contracted survey of resources in these areas by the Pacific Blue, a group of foreign and local divers. will be completed shortly.

Salceda said CRABS++ is designed to help develop Albay’s coastal barangays  through new and improved ways to optimize if not maximize the beneficial utilization of, and development of  the area’s resources and potentials.

The 200 sets of fishing gears came from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the form of a grant, approved by BFAR Regional director Dennis V. Del Socorro.

The gears were distributed to the beneficiaries consisting of 15 families each from the 13 coastal municipalities in rites held at the PHVCC Research and Training Center in Tabaco City. Albay Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Member Job Belen, co-chair of CRABS++ presided over the ceremonies.

Distributed were 35 sets of Bottom Set Long-line, locally called ‘Kitang’, 35 sets of Tuna Hand-line and 130 sets of Bottom Set Gill Net. The Albay Provincial Agricultural Services Office will monitor and rate the economic benefits of the program.