It was but a calm Tuesday morning (August 24, 2010) when I witnessed seven fishermen who landed at the shore (at the campaign site) with no catch at all. It was indeed a very sad experience for me. Seem dismayed if I were to describe the fishermen's facial expressions, they still afforded to smile as I approached them.  With a very low tone, I asked them a few questions since I have already met most of them when I conducted the formative research (activity one: Interview) on July 29, 2010.  What kind of fishing gear do you use? How much time did you spend chasing the fish, hoping to catch one? Why were you not able to catch a single fish?

Obviously, the fishermen had similar answers as they went off the shore together as a group using the same method of catching fish (a hook and line, locally called "pamugtaw"). This kind of gear has a big-sized hook, with a colored silky cloth attached to a chicken feather--- used as a false or artificial bait to attract tuna fish.  The fishermen spent 3-4 hours in the sea.  They said that they weren't able to catch one because they we not lucky enough and the tuna population is getting smaller, unlike before.

With the type of gear mentioned above, fishermen would go off to the sea if they see fish aggregation at a certain area. With the use of strength, they would paddle their bancas and off they go to chase tuna fish.  According to the fishermen, sometimes if they are lucky enough they could at least catch one fish weighing about 700 grams- 1 kilogram, depending on the size.  Unlike other small fishing boats in the town, the boats of Tandayag fishermen (at the Pride campaign site) are mostly non-motorized, thus, they could not endure long hours to chase the fish.

There are many contributing factors to this scenario. It is indeed a challenge for me, as the Rare Pride Campaign Manager, to probe more and dig deeper to the bottom line of the current situation. The Rare Pride Campaign could greatly help the people understand why the situation and what they could do to contribute in the management of their marine resources--- and reap the 'fruits'/benefits of taking care for these resources.

(Photo credits: Ms. Joann P. Binondo, Assisting Professional of EcoGov2) Jo, special thanks to you, for taking the pictures while I'm having conversation with the fisherfolks.