Until Next Time, Calatagan
- Rebecca Turley, Emily Malsack
- Jul 27, 2017
- 2 min read
A final update from MRes. students, Emily and Becca, on their fieldwork investigating the trade in aquarium fish in Calatagan, Philippines.
For the last two weeks, we have been busy finishing interviews and answering our remaining questions, before all our farewells with the community.
Emily carried out GPS mapping to gather points on the areas where aquarium fishers do, and do not, collect fish. One of the fishers offered to take us around Calatagan for the day on his boat, and we travelled all the way around the municipality, observing the existing Marina Protected Areas, private resorts, and Barangays (towns) closed to aquarium fishing.
A strip of beach resorts in one Barangay restrict the areas where aquarium fishers can collect. Credit: R.Turley
As part of our departure, we gave a presentation about our work, including some initial observations, to the local government and several of the aquarium fishers. Although we were unable to share a lot of what we had gathered, they seemed pleased and open to what we had to share.
Group photo after our presentation in the municipal hall of the Local Government, Calatagan. Pictured here are aquarium fishers, barangay counsellors, the municipal mayor and two representatives from the Municipal Agricultural Office (MAO).
Credit: Government representative
Before we left, we had a farewell karaoke party with the aquarium fishers, and man they can drink! It was emotional saying goodbye to everyone and the fishers told us they appreciated us being there, as this is the most attention they have ever gotten, especially from the government. We are also so grateful they felt comfortable enough with us to share information about their livelihoods and the problems they face. It is still very early days, and we have a great deal of analysis ahead. We hope to return in January 2018 to continue our work, share our complete report, and help sustain Calatagan’s aquarium fishery and improve livelihoods for the future.
At the goodbye party, before the brandy was popped open. Credit: F.Nasoli
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