Posts by Sabrina

While visiting Anilao to visit the marine protected areas, I had my first encounter with a tribal group called ‘Badjaos’. In Anilao you often see them walking the beach selling pearls but I quickly learned their history is much more. As a local volunteer, who has opted to share this thought anonymously, later explained their connection with the sea could make them a useful partner in the conservation of the seas. WANDERING...

As I mentioned in my last post, I have recently travelled to Anilao, Mabini, Batangas as well as to the NFRDI research centre in Butong, Taal, Batangas. My time in Anilao focused on the use of marine protected areas (MPAs) as a means of promoting sustainable fisheries and alternative livelihoods for fisherfolk. It was also an excellent reason to get an opportunity to do my intro scuba dive (which for the record did not go as well as I...

Back in Quezon City after spending a week in Guiuan, Eastern Samar. Guiuan was one of areas hardest hit by Typhoon Yolanda. The amount of destruction left behind after the Typhoon literally made me speechless upon our arrival but what left an even bigger impact was the resiliency of the people. Based on the few municipalities I have visited so far, Guiuan’s regulations regarding its municipal fisheries appear to be among the...

My second week in the Philippines was spent visiting sites outside of Metro Manila. The first stop of the week was to a pair of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (“BFAR”) sites in Dagupan City. Dagupan City is the major/capital city of Pangasinan province in the north. It is also a city that is renowned for the quality of its farmed milkfish, known locally as bangus. In Dagupan City I visited the BFAR National...