The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Thursday turned over a 62-footer steel-hulled ring net fishing vessel to the Damortis Fisherfolks Cooperative at the Sual Fish Port Complex here.

In an interview, Damortis Fisherfolks Cooperative president Arnulfo Eslao Jr. said they are thankful to the national government for being chosen as the recipient as it will help them increase their catch.

“We use our individual fishing boats in the municipal waters only but with the steel-hulled ring net boat, we could now fish even at the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

Eslao said with the new boat, they are targeting to gather up to 20 metric tons of fish whenever they sail out.

“We have been requesting for this in the past and we have never imagined that our request will be granted finally,” he added.

The local cooperative has over 115 small-scale fishermen members and is the first fisherfolk group in the country to receive the steel-hulled ring net fishing vessel.

Eslao said the income from the catch of the vessel will go to their cooperative and will be divided among the members.

The fishing vessel worth PHP38 million is equipped with full machinery and accessories designed by the Department of Agriculture-BFAR with upgraded and appropriate equipment to improve the fishing capacity and production efficiency of the fisherfolk.

Its fuel capacity could last up to nine days at sea, and can withstand harsh weather at sea.

In a separate interview, BFAR Ilocos regional director Rosario Segundina Gaerlan said the fishing vessel will not only assist in the livelihood of the fisherfolk but also in the food security in line with a program for affordable and accessible fish products.

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

Gaerlan said members were trained and BFAR would also assist them in the organizational work for their group.

She said the fishing vessel was the first of the four in the entire country being built in this town by the Filipino shipbuilding company, Josefa Slipways Inc., situated in this town.

The DA-BFAR has 37 fishing vessel projects, including four ring nets, six bag nets, and 27 handline fishing boats for this year, and has proposed 54 units for next year. (PNA)