Silliman U scientist trains local fishery leaders how to use fish monitoring app

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

DUMAGUETE CITY – A marine scientist from the Silliman University Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management (SUAKCREM), Dr. Rene Abesamis trained local fishery leaders in South Negros on how to conduct fish surveys using the MPA Fish Monitoring App or “MPA-FishMApp” for them to independently monitor marine protected areas (MPAs) and manage fish resources.

Abesamis, who specializes in MPAs was chosen by the Fish Right Program of USAID and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to lead the training that aims to help develop the capacity of local stakeholders, such as leaders of fishing communities, to conduct their own fish surveys.

Abesamis first spent over three weeks conducting fish surveys with the trainees to measure fish biomass in select MPAs in South Negros before training them how to use the app.

“MPA-FishMapp” was developed to simplify and improve fish data collection and reporting, another important element of EAFM. The app is still in the field-testing phase and will be available for wider use by August 2021.

The app allows fish density and biomass in an MPA to be monitored regularly and helps check if an MPA is still effective in promoting the recovery of the fish population. 

Training local stakeholders in building their capacity to implement the ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM) is a core strategy of the USAID-BFAR Fish Right Program.

Aside from developing stakeholders’ EAFM skills, the training also aimed to field test the “MPA-FishMApp” a simple web-based app designed to help citizen scientists to easily capture, store and visualize fish census data.

Abesamis partnered with a team from the Center for Informatics at the University of San Agustin-Iloilo to develop the app, with support from the Australia Alumni Awards and Engagement Program of the Australian Embassy.

Abesamis, also an adjunct professor at the SU Institute of Environment and Marine Sciences, completed his master’s degree and PhD in Marine Biology at James Cook University, Australia.

SU joined the Fish Right Program in 2019 as one of its implementing institutions to establish and strengthen sustainable fishing in South Negros. (Photos: SU/Google Images)