The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Central Luzon (BFAR-3) has recently distributed fishing gear including aggregating devices called “payao” to fisherfolk in Bataan.

BFAR-3 Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz said on Monday the move aims to provide sustainable livelihood to the sector.

Cruz said four fisherfolk associations in the towns of Bagac and Morong have received five units of payao that could help them have a bountiful catch.

“Sa pamamagitan ng mga ipinamahaging payao, mas magiging madali para sa mga mangingisda na makapang-akit ng mas malalaki at mas maraming huli sa kalagitnaan ng dagat (Through the distributed payaos, it would be easier for the fishermen to attract bigger fish and get more catch from the sea),” he said in a social media post.

Payao is made of big drums that serve as floaters with big ropes that are tied to a cemented anchor placed below the water to keep them steady. It also has coconut fronds attached to the ropes to host algae as food for the fish.

Small fish will be attracted and feed on the algae, and they, in turn, will draw big fish to the area, providing opportunities for a bountiful catch.

With the use of payao, Cruz said the fishers would not have to venture out to the ocean to fish, which puts their life at risk.

Aside from payao, he said some 90 fisherfolk in Bataan also received nets, solar lamps, and fry collection paraphernalia. (PNA)