The Blue Swimming Crab (BSC) Model Village was launched in Brgy. Tortosa, Manapla, Negros Occidental this morning, Sept. 27, by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the provincial and town governments.
The project envisions to improve the socio-economic conditions of BSC fishers and other community members through profitable social enterprise, the Capitol said, adding it is “designed to follow the Ecosystems Approach to Fisheries Management to achieve multiple objectives on human and economic well-being and good governance.”
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who was at the launching, said the vision behind the project is anchored on empowerment and sustainability, establishing a community partnership that harmonizes innovation with tradition, and ensuring that resources are utilized wisely.
He also said that public-private-community partnership is a powerful approach to addressing complex social, economic, and environmental challenges, and creates a more integrated and effective approach to community development and innovative solutions.
The BSC Adopt-a-Village Project, initiated as a pilot implementation of the BSC National Management Plan, aims to ensure the sustainability of crab resources and increase community engagement in the conservation and protection of the commodity.
BFAR6 director Remia Aparri and Manapla Mayor Manuel Escalante III also led the launching, attended by Department of Agriculture and USAID representatives, as well as OIC provincial agriculturist Dina Genzola, and Sagay City Councilor Arthur Christopher Marañon, among others. ||
