Report on Fishing Demonstrations of Bagnet and Accordion Trap Gear in Samar Sea

Abstract

The REBYC II-CTI Project “Strategies in Trawl Bycatch Management” is implemented in Samar Sea as a Pilot site in the Philippines. The project formulated the Samar Sea Management Plan (SSFMP) as a tool to sustainably manage the fisheries in the area, including the trawls. One of the management measures under the SSFMP is a close season and exclusion of certain fishing gears, including trawls. In this regard, other fishing gears, are desired as alternative for fisherfolks that will be affected by the close season or exclusion. Among the fishing gears considered by the REBYC-II CTI project as alternative fishing gear to municipal trawl are bagnet/liftnet (local name: Basnigan) and accordion trap. Bagnet is classified as an active gear which is prohibited to operate within municipal waters (15 kilometers from the shoreline). However, under the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Republic Act 8550 as amended by Republic Act 10654, the operation of bagnet is allowed within municipal waters under the condition that a fishing boat powered by single piston engine is used. Various trap designs are commonly used in municipal waters to catch various fish species and crabs; however the accordion/collapsible type which was purportedly introduced by a Taiwanese fisherman, is a potential alternative gear to catch shrimps. The fishing trials of bagnet and accordion trap were aimed to determine their catch efficiencies which includes catch rate and composition. The viabilities of these fishing gears would be considered as an alternative livelihood to trawl fishers that would be affected by the implementation of the closed season of the Samar Sea Fisheries Management Plan. Also, the introduction of responsible fishing practices would minimize the impact of the trawling and ensure sustainable fishery resources in Samar Sea.