Initiating aquasilviculture, a climate-smart agriculture in Isabel

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA-8)
December 17, 2012

ISABEL, Leyte  –  Aquasilviculture, a climate-smart and environmental-friendly agriculture will soon be showcased in Isabel, Leyte through the public-private partnership scheme that the P-Noy Administration is promoting.

The establishment of a 69.33-hectare aquasilviculture project was launched with the forging of a memorandum of agreement among the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through its Regional Executive Director Manolito Ragub, the local government unit of Isabel through its Municipal Mayor Saturnino Medina, Jr. and the Leyte Agricultural Producers Cooperative (LAPCoop) represented by its Adviser Engr. Rogelio Tantuico.

Under the agreement, the project proponent LAPCoop in coordination with the LGU shall cause the establishment of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) funded aquasilviculture project in Brgys. Apale, Tolingon, and Marvel all in Isabel.

The MOA with DENR legitimizes LAPCoop’s implementation of the LGU-proposed project following the suspension of the Coastal Area Special Use Agreement (CASUA), a 25-year tenurial instrument covering the development of idle and degraded areas for aquasilviculture and non-extractive activities by individuals and entities. In 2006, then DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes suspended the issuance of agreements for the special use of coastal areas to facilitate consultations with stakeholders on the CASUA guidelines.

Danilo Javier, Regional Technical Director for Protected Areas Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service (PAWCZMS) of DENR says, the MOA permits use of the coastal area for aquasilviculture under the CASUA scheme for three (3) years, renewable for another three years, until a CASUA is in place.

Five (5) hectares of the total project area shall be developed for mudcrab hatchery and all degraded areas within the proposed project site will be planted with appropriate mangrove species.

Aquasilviculture is the integration of aquaculture, mudcrab culture in this case, and mangrove forestry, otherwise known as silviculture. While it is new in the Philippines, aquasilviculture has been practiced in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and China.

The approaches differ among and within countries but mainly constitute the integration of mangrove ponds and pens for fish and crabs. Such systems not only sequester carbon, but they are also more resilient to shocks and extreme events and also lead to increased production due to improved ecosystem services.

The advantages of this new method include low investment cost, ease of construction, protection of mangroves, and the use of locally available materials.

The Aquasilviculture project in Isabel will be under the joint supervision and coordination of DENR, the LGU and BFAR. These parties shall ensure that no existing mangroves including their root system will be cut or disturbed in the implementation of the project.

DENR 8 Regional Executive Director Manolito D. Ragub said that “While promoting the value of coastal protection and preservation of the ecosystem, the DENR also aims to provide alternative livelihood to fisherfolks.”

Thus aquasilviculture which harmonizes fishery production and reforestation in coastal areas is indeed, very noteworthy, RED Ragub said.

Climate change is bringing about huge challenges to fisheries and aquaculture. Production systems and livelihoods, already in crisis from over-fishing, poor management and impacts from other terrestrial anthropogenic influences, are likely to succumb further as the frequency and intensity of storms increase and extreme weather events become more common.

Fishers, as well as other community members, will be at greater risk of losing their lives and assets, such as boats, fishing equipment and aquaculture infrastructures.