To save marine ecosystem, Iloilo town bans seagrass gathering

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The town of Carles in Iloilo has totally banned the massive gathering of seagrass, locally known as kulafu, along coastal villages to preserve the marine ecosystem.

The proposed regulation came after several buyers from Cebu City came to buy the dried seagrass directly from the fishermen in several coastal areas of Carles, particularly in Sicogon Island where Barangays Buaya, San Fernando and Alipata are located.

Councilor Siegfredo Betita, tourism committee chairman, said the banning was enforced by Mayor Arnold Betita three months ago after some fishermen were found to be harvesting seagrass directly underwater and not just collecting those that were floating above the seawaters.

"Seagrass are the breeding areas for squids and different species of fish that are abundant in our town. The banning will help us protect the sensitive life stage especially the female fish and squids and give them enough breeding place," he said.

Based on the gathered report, Betita said the dried seagrass is being used as raw material in the manufacture of fertilizer, feeds, medicine, insect repellents and plastic products such as plastic chairs and tables. He added that dried seagrass is being sold at P4 per kilo.

Betita said if the massive harvesting of seagrass will not be regulated, this will cause a big loss to the marine ecosystem in the future.

Fisherman Jan Ten Andrade, of Brgy. Buaya, said collecting seagrass as their livelihood helped them a lot especially to his neighbors who have no specific income daily.

After fishing every morning, they start collecting floating seagrass along the seashore, he said, denying that they pull this up from underwater. In just a day, they could harvest 10 kilos of seagrass or even more, he told The Freeman.

Meanwhile, the Carles LGU has introduced cultured seaweed farming for the 1,000 affected fishermen as their alternative livelihood. The seaweed, locally known as guso, is edible and used to mix as an ingredient in toothpaste and medicinal capsule, said Betita.

The councilor further said there are already two existing cooperatives in Carles, and are being supported by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR): the Barangkalan Multi-Purpose Cooperative with 120 members; and the Pantalan Multi-Purpose Cooperative with 75 members-which sell seaweeds at P40 a kilo.

Apart from seaweed farming, Betita said they will also tap the help of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to train other fishermen on making souvenir items out of shells and other marine products upon the start of the Sicogon Island development.  (FREEMAN)