CANTILAN, Surigao del Sur -- The national evaluators for the Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan (MMK) program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) experienced firsthand the best practices in coastal fisheries resource management of the Local Government Unit of Cantilan, Surigao del Sur as the 2021 MMK regional champion in Caraga.
The national MMK evaluation team led by Chief Aquaculturist Sandra Victoria R. Arcamo of DA-BFAR Fisheries Resources Management Division conducted a four-day field evaluation in the municipality of Cantilan as one of the top five (5) finalists for the 2021 MMK national search for outstanding coastal communities.
To evaluate Cantilan's best practices, particularly on the following MMK criteria, the field interviews and on-site assessments were conducted from August 1 to 4, 2022:
(1) absence of illegal fishing,
(2) observance of off-fishing season,
(3) declared marine protected areas,
(4) clean, coastal waters without any garbage or industrial effluents flowing to the sea, and
(5) effective mangrove protection and rehabilitation program.
MMK is the banner program of DA-BFAR that gives recognition and incentives to boost the efforts of the local government units on sustainable fisheries management.
For straight six years, Caraga region has been consistently clinching its spot in the top five (5) finalists of the annual national search for "Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan." (NGPB/BFAR-13/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
