FIS-2003-033 Annual Report 1ST Oct 07

8/8/2019 FIS-2003-033 Annual Report 1ST Oct 07

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Project annual report

project Integrated fisheries resource management

(Rinconada Lakes, Philippines and NSWAustralia)

project no. FIS/2003/033

period of report 1 June 2006 31 May 2007

date due 31 May 2007

date submitted 17 October 2007

prepared by Dr Philip GibbsPrincipal Fisheries ScientistNSW Department of Primary Industries, Australia

collaborators Dr Adelaida PalmaChief National Inland Fisheries Technology CentreBureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Philippines

Dr Maria Lourdes Cuvin-Aralar

Head Binangonan Freshwater Station of SEAFDEC/AQD Philippines

Mr Jim TaitSenior Environmental ScientistEconcern Pty Ltd, Australia

Mr Ren Waterfall and Mr Robert GreenDirectors, Earthmakers Pty Ltd, Australia


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Annual Progress Report: Integrated fisheries resource management (Rinconada Lakes, Philippines and NSW Australia)

Contents

1 Progress summary ...................................................................................... 3

2 Achievement against activities and outputs/milestones ........................ 4

3 Impacts ......................................................................................................... 9

3.1 Scientific impacts ...............................................................................................................9

3.2 Capacity impacts ...............................................................................................................9

3.3 Community impacts .........................................................................................................10

3.4 Communication and dissemination activities ...................................................................10

4 Training activities ...................................................................................... 11

5 Intellectual property .................................................................................. 11

6 Variations to future activities ................................................................... 11

7 Variations to personnel.............................................................................11

8 Problems and opportunities ..................................................................... 11

9 Budget ........................................................................................................ 12

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1 Progress summaryThe project Memorandum of Agreement with the Bureau of Fisheries and AquaticResources in the Philippines was signed in September 2006. Initial planning and

preparation for the official project launch was scheduled for November 2006 to coincidewith the commencement of the first phase of the project participatory consultativemeetings and the commencement of the fish cage aquaculture experiments.

The study area is in the Camarines Sur and Albay provinces (Bicol region) of thePhilippines. The three Rinconada Lakes (Buhi, Bato and Baao Bula) are located withinthe five local government Municipalities of Buhi, Bato, Baao, Bula and Libon andinvolvement of municipal staff in the project has been negotiated.

Unfortunately the Bicol region was impacted by a sequence of five typhoons from lateSeptember 2006 to mid December 2006. Three of the typhoons were of a significantnature reaching category 4 status (this is the most destructive category used in thePhilippines rating system of 1 to 4).

Mount Mayon is one of the three active volcanos in the Bicol region and in November/December 2006 the 4 day duration typhoon Durian (locally known as Reming) activated amajor mud flow of volcanic tuff and ash left on the slopes of Mount Mayon from theFebruary 2006 eruption. The combination of destructive winds to 195 kph, torrential rainand mud flows in the Bicol floodplain caused considerable loss of infrastructure and manyhuman deaths.

As a consequence of these natural disasters the project objectives and scheduling of worktasks had to be reassessed and modified to accommodate the changes in the study area

associated with the disruption to peoples livelihoods, damage and loss of fish cages andthe flushing of the water hyacinth from the Lake system.

After the redrafting of the project methodology and work tasks, official briefings of theBureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regional staff and the local governmentofficials of the four Municipalities (Buhi, Bato, Baao and Bula) including the incumbentMayors were undertaken in January 2007. All Municipalities were very supportative of theproject and committed to active involvement.

The project was officially launched on 1 February 2007 in the Municipality of Buhi. Thelaunch involved officials from all municipalities and was combined with the release intoLake Buhi by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of 100,000 common and

bighead carp fingerlings. This was part of the rehabilitation and enhancement of the wildcapture fishery in Lake Buhi following the typhoon disaster.

After the launch capacity building seminars for stakeholders were held. Further targetedconsultative and training workshops were held in early March in Bula, mainly for membersof the FARMCs (Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils) of the differentmunicipalities. The involvement of STREAM (Support to Regional Aquatic ResourcesManagement) in conducting the livelihoods analysis for the project and the coordinationwith the capacity building activities for the local fisherfolk organisations to be done byregional staff was finalised.

Philippine project scientists Dr. Adelaida Palma and Dr. Maria Lourdes Aralar travelled to

Australia in March 2007 to meet with Australian project staff and project collaboratorsworking on the water hyacinth composting technology. Visits to a number of NSWDepartment of Primary Industries aquaculture facilities were arranged and detailed

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planning of the fish cage experiments in the Philippines on stocking density, feeding ratesand cage spacing was undertaken.

In late April 2007, the stocking density trials in Lake Bato with four fish farmer co-operators were started. This involved transporting and stocking 45,000 size 17 Tilapiafingerlings into 36 fish cages (3 stocking densities x 3 replicates x 4 locations).The sameexperimental trials were started in Lake Buhi in late May.

Agreements on the establishment of the water quality laboratories and the water qualitysampling program were reached with the Local Government Units via the Mayor in bothBuhi and Bato. Training of the water quality technicians from the four Local GovernmentUnits was done during the April field work in Lake Bato, and monthly water qualitymonitoring commenced.

The water quality in Lakes Buhi and Bato during the early summer months April / Maydeteriorated significantly, with dissolved oxygen levels falling below 5 mg/l in surfacewaters and below 1 mg/l in bottom waters. Water depth in Lake Bato was also less than

2.5 m in some sites due to lack of water inflow and water drawdown. This has a significanteffect on the effective stocking densities estimated for the experiments as the fish cagesin Bato are 2.5m deep.

Water hyacinth presence in the Lakes has been significantly reduced by the flushing effectof the typhoons. Consequently a rescheduling of the water hyacinth composting trials to2008 has occurred. The specifications and design of the locally manufactured ricethreshers was investigated in relation to possible modification for use in preparing thewater hyacinth for the composting trials. A discussion was held with Mr Glen Calleja ofEco Fish Park, re the use of probiotics (microbial accelerants) for treatment of compostand the possible trialling of the product he has developed in the composting activities.

2 Achievement against activities andoutputs/milestonesNOTE:- The effective project commencement date is January 2007

Objective 1: To facilitate adoption by key stakeholders of management actions toimprove management of the Rinconada Lakes in the Philippines and of selectedfisheries resources in NSW, Australia

no. activity outputs/

milestones

completiondate

comments

1.1 Documenting thecurrent impact ofaquacultureproduction andaquatic weedinfestation on theaquaticecosystems in theRinconada Lakesby adaptingecosystemassessmentmethodologies

Relevantcomponentsapplied

Risk matrixavailable andpublished

On going A series of devastating typhoons whichhit the project area in the last quarter of2006 resulted in severe damage toaquaculture as well as flushing waterhyacinth from the lakes. A reappraisalof this activity is in progress.

Assessments by BFAR of typhoondamage to aquaculture and wildfisheries are complete.

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1.2 Developing andimplementingstakeholderconsultativeprocesses toensure ownershipof information

about the currentstatus of theecosystem andunderstanding ofrequiredmanagementactions at thecommunity userlevel

Meetingsfacilitated toensure activestakeholderparticipation andownership.

Meetings held onschedule

January/February 2007

March 8-11,2007

On going

During the project launching inJanuary /February 2007 acomprehensive briefing of municipalofficials on the project aims andactivities was completed to initiate fullinvolvement of the municipalities in theimplementation of the project and

eventual adoption of the managementrecommendations; The four Municipalmayors were very receptive to theproject and promised completecooperation.

An initial capacity building and trainingworkshop was conducted. Participantswere the planning and developmentofficer, municipal agriculturist andfisheries officer of the municipalities ofBuhi, Bato, Baao and Bula. Fisherfolkand FARMC members and fish farmercooperators for the experimental trials

Each municipality identified theproblems in their area and suggestedinterventions/solutions to theseproblems.

In May 2007, local elections were heldand there was a change in theadministration of each of the fourmunicipalities. Local project scientistswill meet with the new mayors toreintroduce the ACIAR project to themand to encourage their support.

1.3 Improving

scientist/manager,manager/stakeholder andscientist/stakeholder interactions toincrease theeffective adoptionof managementplans for fisheriesresources inNSW, Australia

Questionnaire

available

Interviewscomplete

Outcomepublished

Not yet due No activity

PC = Partner Country, A = Australia

Objective 2: To facilitate improved fish cage management to increase economic

return and reduce impacts on water quality in Lakes Buhi and Bato, Philippines.


milestones

completiondate

comments

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2.1 To establish on-farm trials withselected fish cagecooperators(through FARMCgroups) includingthe establishment

of demonstrationcages to trial cagespacing, cagedesign, modifiedstocking andfeeding rates toobtain maximumfish growth andminimizeenvironmentalpollution

Experimentaldesign workshopheld in Australia.

All fish farmercooperator

trainingcompleted.

Sites established

Stockingexperiments

FeedingExperiments

Cage spacingexperiments

March 2007

March andApril 2007

April, 2007and on-going(Lake Bato);

May 2007 andon-going (LakeBuhi)

Training visit to Australia by Dr Palmaand Dr Cuvin Aralar

Stocking density trials with four fishfarmer cooperators was started in late

April in Lake Bato; similar trials withanother set of four fish farmercooperators was started in Lake Buhi inlate May;

On going

2.2 To instigatestakeholderparticipatorymonitoring ofcritical waterquality parametersat different depthsover temporal andspatial scaleswithin each lakeand disseminateinformation to fishfarmers

Training complete.Stakeholdersunderstand how tomeasure waterquality variablesand how tointerpret basicdata.

Laboratoryfunctioning.

Samplescollected.

Events sampled.

Samplingcomplete.

Reporting onschedule.

FebruaryMarch 2007

April, 2007and on-going

(Lake Bato);May 2007 andon-going (LakeBuhi)

Water quality training was provided forboth the field and laboratorycomponents.

There are delays in the establishmentof the water quality laboratories.

Water quality monitoring in fish cagecooperator sites started with thestocking density trials in Lakes Batoand Buhi; An additional 10 stations forLakes Buhi and Bato and a total of 10stations for Lake Baao-Bula are being

sampled commencing in May 2007.

The Municipal agriculturist and thecooperators in each Lake are providedwith the water quality data for the lakes

2.3 To assessimpacts ofirrigation andhydroelectricdrawdown of lake

water level andwater hyacinthinfestation on fishcage production

Review complete.

Analysiscomplete.

Drawdownscheduledocumented.

Samplingcomplete.

ongoing Initial contact with NIA and NAPOCORmade.

Water hyacinth in both lakes has beendramatically reduced because of the

heavy rains and strong winds due totyphoon activity in late 2006.

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2.4 To collect socioeconomic databased oninterview surveysof fish cagecoperators toquantify the

economic gainand livelihoodcomponent of theimplementedactivities

Data collected.

Form designed.

Survey complete.

Report complete.

Report complete.

Report complete.

Not yet due


Objective 3: To effectively manage water hyacinth infestations in Lakes Buhi, Batoand Baao, Philippines, by physical removal.


milestones

completiondate

comments

3.1 Work with themunicipalgovernments ofBuhi, Bato andBaao andFARMCs who arecurrentlyphysicallyremoving waterhyacinth from thelakes to establisha pilot programusing successfulAustralian waterhyacinth

compostingtechnology, toassess theeconomicincentive for waterhyacinthmanagementprovided bycompostproduction.

Technologytransferred

Compost in useand compostplants operating

ongoing Initial development of the compostingtechnology has commenced withEarthmakers Pty Ltd. However the 2006typhoon activity has delayed this workactivity.

3.2 Examine themanagementopportunitiesprovided by

natural eventssuch as typhoon-associated floodsas part of anintegratedapproach to thecontrol of waterhyacinth.

Hyacinth coverdocumented

Calculationscomplete

Recommendations published

Not yet due Typhoons and associated floods in late2006 occurred before appropriate preimpact base line data were collected.

3.3 Survey theavailablebiological controlagents for waterhyacinth in thePhilippines.

Review complete

Survey complete

Not yetimplemented

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3.4 Document thefinancial feasibilityof the compostingtechnologyincluding thecapital costs ofthe equipment

and infrastructure.

Costsdocumented

Costsdocumented

Economicanalysis complete

Not yet due


Objective 4: To document and package the ecosystem based management findingsand outcomes of this project for adoption.


milestones

completiondate

comments

4.1 To recommendbest managementpractice for fishcage aquaculture

in the RinconadaLake System andeventualimplementationacross thePhilippines.

Report complete Not yet due

4.2 To hold aworkshop onconsultationframeworks,ecosystem basedmanagement andcapacity buildingof fish cage

aquaculture andaquatic weedmanagement forACIAR-fundedprojects inPhilippines,Indonesia, SriLanka, Vietnam,and Australia.

Workshoporganised

Workshop held

Publicationavailable

Not yet due

4.3 To document thecommonalities inexpectationsbetweenstakeholders,managers andscientists acrosscultural contextsof the Philippinesand NSWAustralia.

Report published Not yet due


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3 Impacts

Scientific impactsNo scientific impacts to date.

Capacity impacts

1) When Dr Palma and Dr Cuvin Aralar visited Australia in March 2007 knowledge andskills transfer were a key aspect of the workshop at Port Stephens to finalise theexperimental design for the project. This was complemented by the inspection anddiscussions with Earthmakers at the Southern Cross University business park Lismore, oncompost technology. In addition a number of NSW aquaculture stations were visitedduring the trip and a data and information exchange on culture of NSW aquaculture

species especially silver perch occurred. This has a wider application within BFARPhilippines outside of this ACIAR project.

2) The capacity building workshop held on 8-11 March 2007 in the Philippines forfisherfolk and officials of the four municipalities covered the following topics:

Understanding the Lake Ecosystem

Nature and Origin of Lakes

Focus on Rinconada Lakes

Physical and Biological Components of the Lake Ecosystem

Water Quality Analysis and Instrumentation

Problems and Constraints of the Multiple Uses of an Open Access Resources

Impacts of Aquaculture on the Lakes Ecosystem

Fishery Enhancement Methodologies

Basin Approach and other Concepts of Inland Resource Management

Institutional Framework of Resource Conservation and Management

Legal Aspects of Lake Conservation and Management

Community Mobilization

Social Aspects of Resource Rehabilitation (Social Mobilization, Value Orientation,and Community Mobilization)

The workshop included lectures, group discussions and activities. The workshop wasimportant in providing the stakeholders with a holistic view of the lake ecosystem,including parameters and issues outside their normal focus, interest or involvement.

Towards the end of the workshop, the participants were able to demonstrate their ability tointegrate the concepts learned through identification of the problems in each of theirrespective lakes and what can be done to address or reduce such problems. They werealso able to identify the different groups/agencies/institutions that have the capability to dosomething about the specific problem areas.

3) The fish farmer cooperators have been fully briefed and trained on the conduct of theexperimental fish cage stocking trials in their respective lakes and how important theirroles are in the project.

4) Water quality instruments purchased by the project are available to increase thecapacity of BFAR Philippines staff to monitor water quality in Lakes not studied as part ofthis project.

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Community impacts

The official launching of the project was attended by the mayors or their representatives ofthe target municipalities of Buhi, Bato, Baao and Bula, other municipal officials, theDirector of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for Region V and his staff aswell as local fisherfolk and interested residents of the barangays around the Lakes. The

project collaborators presented the objectives of the project as well as a summary of theprojected activities over the life of the project.

Economic impacts

No impact at this early stage in the project

Social impacts

No impact at this early stage in the project

Environmental impacts

The involvement in the official launch of fisherfolk and Lake barangay residents with aconcern for the environmental and social conditions in the Lakes represents a communityimpact due to the uptake of information from the project. This is complemented by thetraining of barangay and FARMC representatives at the March 2007 capacity buildingworkshop which focused on the ecology and environmental importance of the Lakes to thecommunity.

Communication and dissemination activities

Coordination meetingsJanuary / February 2007 (in Philippines)

Official Launch and public forumBFAR central office staffBFAR region 5 staffMunicipal Officials from Bato, Buhi, Bula and BaaoAsian Development Bank re livelihood projects

March 2007 (in Australia)DPI project staff at CronullaJim Tait Econcern re water hyacinth at HuonbrookEarthmakers re compost objective at Southern Cross University, Lismore

April / May 2007 (in Philippines)

BFAR region 5 staffBFAR central officeSTREAMMunicipal Officials from Bato and BuhiGlen Calleja Eco Fish Park PiliACIAR Fisheries Program Manager (at BFAR Quezon City)

Workshops / TrainingJanuary / February 2007 (in Philippines)

Stakeholders of Buhi, Bato, Bula and Baao on the objectives and anticipated outcomes ofthe project.

March 2007 (in Philippines)Stakeholders of Buhi, Bato, Bula and Baao on the capacity building and knowledge ofLake Ecosystems.

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Fish cage cooperators in both Buhi and Bato Lakes on the specific requirements for theirinvolvement in the fish, stocking density experiments.

March 2007 (in Australia)Project experimental design at Port Stephens.

April / May 2007 (in Philippines)LGU technicians from Buhi, Bato, Bula and Baao on use of the water quality instrumentsand nutrient analysis kits.

4 Training activitiesNo training activities leading to a formal educational qualification were undertaken

5 Intellectual propertyNo abnormal issues to report

6 Variations to future activitiesThe typhoon damage in the region and the resultant reduction in water hyacinth presencein the Lakes have delayed implementation of Objective 3.

A reassessment of the water hyacinth activities have been made and completeeradication of water hyacinth from the Lake systems is no longer the prime objective ofthe stakeholders. Rather the stakeholders want to manage and utilise the excessivegrowth of water hyacinth when the floating mats impact fish cage culture and boatnavigation. As a consequence the allocated ratio of resources to be spent by EconcernPty Ltd and Earthmakers Pty Ltd in the project will change. However, this will be within theexisting budget.

7 Variations to personnelDue to the Philippines election ban on the hiring of personnel during March and April2007, there was a delay in the hiring of the full time research assistant to work for theproject in the Bicol region.

8 Problems and opportunitiesThe logistic problems caused by volcanic and typhoon activities in the study region aredetailed elsewhere in this report. This has been addressed by rescheduling of activitiesespecially for objective 3 on water hyacinth.

Minor administrative / operational challenges associated with communication issuesbetween the regional and central office staff of BFAR are apparent. A plan of providingboth verbal and written updates has been established. In addition Dr M Cuvin Aralar isvisiting the study sites on a monthly basis.

Government elections in the Philippines occurred in May 2007. As a result the Mayor ineach of the four municipalities collaborating in the project changed. In addition a newDirector of Region 5 BFAR was appointed. This represents both a problem in the need torebrief the officials and gain active commitment and an opportunity to progress forward

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with the revised project activities, which were necessitated by the typhoon destruction inthe Bicol region.

9 Budget

To be provided by the External Funding Unit Department of Primary Industries head officeOrange.

No significant variations to the approved budget have occurred during the reportingperiod.

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Documents

FIS-2003-033 Annual Report 1ST Oct 07