BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO – The provincial government is considering replicating the municipality of Ajuy’s best practices in marine conservation and coastal protection throughout the rest of Iloilo.
The town recently placed first runner-up in the Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan (MMK) Awards organized by the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. As a result, it secured fisheries livelihood projects worth P18 million.
“We aim to encourage and inspire other municipalities to participate in the upcoming MMK awards. I am confident that our fellow communities are already engaged in initiatives to protect our seas and coasts,” said Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
He emphasized that conserving coastal areas involves more than just restricting fishing activities; it also creates alternative livelihood opportunities.
MMK acknowledges the exceptional initiatives and contributions of coastal municipalities and cities towards sustainable fisheries development. These initiatives may include combating illegal fishing, adopting an ecosystem-based approach to sea management, establishing marine protected areas or fisheries-managed zones, conducting coastal cleanups, and promoting mangrove propagation and rehabilitation, among others.
The MMK event, which took place on Sept. 22 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, commemorated the 60th National Fish Conservation Week.
Ajuy’s Mayor Jett C. Rojas emphasized, “Our shorelines, from the coastline to the inland areas, should remain clean, and cleanliness must be maintained. One of the criteria is the maintenance of a marine protected area within our municipal waters, which should account for about 10 to 15 percent of our town’s total municipal waters.”/PN
