Fish production in Ilocos Norte is expected to get a boost after the turnover of a PHP9 million 62-footer tuna handline fishing boat to a fisherfolk’s association here Thursday.

The 33B Fishermen’s Association from Barangay 33B La Paz received the boat from the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR).

“This is a big help for us to increase our catch,” Orlando Agag, president of the association, said during the ceremonial turnover and signing of a memorandum of agreement attended by representatives of BFAR and the city government of Laoag.

Under BFAR’s Capacitating Municipal Fisherfolk Program, small-scale fishermen’s associations are provided with sturdier fishing boats that can withstand harsh weather at sea, as well as other fishing paraphernalia to increase their fish production to about 40 metric tons annually.

BFAR 1 (Ilocos) Director Rosario Segundina Gaerlan, in an interview, said the fishing vessel would not only assist in the livelihood of the fisherfolk but also boost the government’s food security program.

“We hope they will use it well and in the right way. We hope it will be used to improve their livelihood and their catch will also benefit our country,” she said.

Gaerlan said members of the association have been trained by BFAR personnel and would also be assisted with the organizational work.

Aside from the fishing boat, 38 bags of feeds, 770 kg. of fingerlings, and 70 fish cage nets were distributed to the fishermen’s associations of Barangays 32-A, 32-B, 32-C, 33-A, 33-B, 34-A, 34-B, 35-B, 35, 60-A, 61, 62-a, and 62-B.

“Thank you BFAR – Regional Field Office 1 for your support to our Laoag City fishermen. Agriculture has always been a priority in my administration,” Laoag City Mayor Michael M. Keon said as he urged the beneficiaries to take good care of them to sustain agriculture productivity. (PNA)