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UPV-CFOS-IMFO, DOST-PCAARRD conduct 9th EAFM training; produce 26 new graduates

UPV-CFOS-IMFO, DOST-PCAARRD conduct 9th EAFM training; produce 26 new graduates

The University of the Philippines Visayas College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences through the Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology (UPV-CFOS-IMFO), in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) conducted the 9th Essential Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Training on September 30 to October 3, 2024 at Park Inn by Radisson Hotel, Iloilo City.

Twenty-six trainees graduated on October 3 after completing the four-day training course that was aimed to provide capacity development, applying the ecosystem approach to holistic fisheries management that balances ecological well-being with human and social well-being through good governance.

The participants came from 20 state universities and colleges (SUCs) and higher education institutions (HEIs) from 11 regions across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. As EAFM graduates, they will be responsible for managing the fisheries and marine environment in their area.

At the opening program, CFOS Dean Prof. Dr. Harold M. Monteclaro and project leader of EAFM 2024 welcomed the participants and introduced them to Iloilo City, a duly-recognized UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy. Monteclaro underscored the essence of the activity and encouraged the participants’ cooperation in promoting EAFM for the country’s sustainable fishing industry.

Maria Adela C. Corpuz, Supervising Science Research Specialist and Assistant Director of PCAARRD's Marine Resources Research Division (MRRD), underscored UPV-CFOS’s continued support since 2019 in providing EAFM training that equips trainees with the knowledge and skills needed to develop, implement, and monitor an EAFM plan to manage capture fisheries more sustainably. 

Corpuz discussed the history of PCAARRD, including its vision, mission, and numerous trainings conducted throughout the years to enhance the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sectors. She also provided an overview of the EAFM including the number of trainings implemented that trained 178 EAFM champions from the academe, local government units, government organizations, non-government agencies, and Asian government agencies. 

 Dr. Romeo A. Cabungcal, Provincial Agriculturist of Palawan,  Dr. Floredel Galon, faculty member of Palawan State University, and Dr. Mari-Ann M. Acedera, PCARRDD-MRRD director, served as the resource persons and training facilitators. 

The essential EAFM training, which can be applied to any fisheries or aquaculture system, had 17 modules.   

Cabungcal and Galon alternately discussed and explained the EAFM process in the course modules: 1. Threats and issues in fisheries; 2. Fisheries management and the ecosystem approach; 3. The what and why of EAFM?; 4. Principles of EAFM; 5. Moving towards EAFM - case study; 6. EAFM plans - the link between policy and action; 7. EAFM process overview; 8. Startup A - Preparing the ground; 9. Startup B - Stakeholder engagement; 10. Steps 1.1, 1.2 & 1.3 Define and scope the FMU; 11. Steps 2.1, 2.2 & 2.3 Identify and prioritize issues and goals; 12. Reality Check  1; 13. Steps 3.1 & 3.2 Develop objectives, indicators and benchmarks; 14. Steps 3.3, 3.4 & 3.5 Management actions, compliance, finance and finalize EAFM plan; 15. Step 4.1 Formalize, communicate and engage; 16. Reality Check II; and 17. Steps 5.1 & 5.2 Monitor, evaluate and adapt the plan.

 Dr. Rico C. Ancog, professor, UP Scientist and dean, School of Environmental Science and Management, UP Los Baños, gave a lecture titled "Blue Economy-based Science and Technology Innovation (STI) System: Some Imperatives and Potentials," relating the concepts  defined in the EAFM to realize the full potential of blue economy.

Both graduates of EAFM training program, Monteclaro and Prof. Nathaniel C. Añasco, a faculty member of CFOS-IMFO, talked on the role of the academe and the local government unit, respectively, in the implementation of EAFM in the country. 

Moreover, Acedera presented the R&D initiatives, programs, and projects of PCAARRD related to productive oceans.

The participants engaged in various group activities, discussions, and workshops. A daily monitoring and reviews as well as pre-test and post-test were administered to assess the progress of the trainees. 

At the end of the training, the participants, divided into four groups, prepared and presented an EAFM plan of their chosen Fisheries Management Unit (FMU) outlining the vision, goals, objectives, indicators, benchmarks, and management actions as well as applying the three components and seven principles of EAFM. 

UPV Chancellor Clement C. Camposano and Dr. Melvin B. Carlos, Deputy Executive Director for ARMSS, PCAARRD, addressed the 2024 EAFM graduates and organizers during the closing program. Both encouraged the participants’ commitment and close collaboration for holistic management approach to sustainable fisheries.

Camposano underlined UPV's commitment and continuous support for this initiative, which is part of UPV's strategic plan to fulfil its public service mandate and realize its role as a national university.

Carlos told the participants that while their training was over, their real work had only just begun. He reminded the participants to utilize what they had learned during the course in their own communities in support of fisheries management.

The following were the essential EAFM 2024 graduates: Dr. Cristy S. Acabado, UP Visayas; Prof. Helen Grace P. Bangi, Cagayan State University; Asst. Prof. Annie G. Diola, University of San Carlos; Ms. Annie B. Gonzales, Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology;  Ms. Jessa May D. Marquez, Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology;  Asst. Prof. Jonalyn P. Mateo, UP Visayas; Dr. Katherine P. Sanchez- Escalona, Mindoro State University;  Mr. Jerry M. Allado, Mariano Marcos State University; Mr. Adzel Adrian G. Baldevieso, Mindanao State University-Naawan; Mr, Keith Andrei V. Castillo, University of Antique- Tario-Lim Memorial Campus; Asst. Prof. Junard A. Catabay, Central Luzon State University;  Mr. Quin Y. Clarito, Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science And Technology; Mr. Joenel S. De La Cruz, University of Antique; Dr. Pastor Jones T. Denusta, West Visayas State University; Dr. Christopher A. Fernandez, Batangas State University; Mr. Jemuel C. Fernandez, Cagayan State University; Mr. Michael H. Galapon, Sorsogon State University-Magallanes Campus; Mr. Rother M. Gaudiel, Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science And Technology; Mr. Mac Edmund G. Gimotea, Carlos Hilado Memorial State University; Dr. Christian Rolan C. Laurden, Bohol Island State University; Asst. Prof. Jerry Ian L. Leonida, UP Visayas; Mr. Kervin T. Mahinay, Carlos Hilado Memorial State University; Mr. Christian C. Molina, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College; Dr. Jaime A. Namocatcat, Mindanao State University-General Santos; Dr. Junnasir M. Sakilan, Jose Rizal Memorial State University; and Mr. Kaent Immanuel N. Uba, Mindanao State University at Naawan.

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