A fisherfolk association in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, earned PHP1.02 million after successfully marketing six metric tons of bangus (milkfish) harvested from its cage project last week.

The Ata-atahon Fisherfolk Cooperative (A-FISHCOOP), composed of 44 members, received support from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Caraga (BFAR-13) in August 2025 through a PHP1.8 million high-density polyethylene (HDPE) cage installed at the Mariculture Park in Nasipit.

“Alongside the HDPE project, BFAR-13 also provided technical training that helped us develop our fish-cage project,” Genilu Cutas, chair of A-FISHCOOP, said in an interview on Monday.

To strengthen their knowledge of fish cage production, BFAR-13 facilitated exposure trips and hands-on training for the group at fish cage farms in Panabo City, Davao del Norte and in Anda, Bohol last year.

“This technical knowledge from the government helped us ensure a good harvest after five to six months of fish farming,” Cutas said.

He added that most of the harvest was sold in Nasipit, nearby towns and Butuan City.

Following their first harvest, the cooperative plans to reinvest earnings in 20,000 bangus fingerlings, feeds and 2,000 kitong (rabbitfish) fingerlings, a species suitable for co-production with bangus.

“Kitong consumes bangus wastes, so we don’t need to worry about feeds. This kind of fish also sells at a high price in markets,” Cutas said.

In a statement on Monday, BFAR-13 said the project was funded under the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency Project through its Modern and Resilient Livelihood Investment (MARLIN) 2.1 component.

The MARLIN 2.1 program aims to promote improved aquaculture practices and climate-smart technologies to boost productivity while reducing climate-related risks. (PNA)