By Heidi Nucodemus
In these times of hardship when food security is disrupted by rising prices of basic commodities and lack of supply, Caviteños find hope ang inspiration from the ‘Kabuhayan sa Dagat’ program that promotes a mixture of traditional and modern livelihood activities initiated along Cavite’s coastal communities.
Under the said program, the local government is focused on expanding its marine industry through expanded fishing methods, propagating the province’s oyster and mussel culture and the processing of such produce harvested from the coastal waters.
Cavite’s long coast from Bacoor to Maragondon offers a bounty of marine wealth that center in the several fishing communities whose fisher folk harvest fish, oyster, mussel and other marine produce.
Kawit and Noveleta are among the centers of livelihood in the province. Both are known for being the origins and primary sources of commerce and culture of mussels or tahong that started since 1962. Care for this valuable food source and livelihood are being conserved through the use of stake and raft methods.
Kawit and Noveleta are also the centers of government assistance such as the Bureau of Fisheries and and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)’s FishCoRe Roadshow that aim to lend helping hand to local fisherfolk.
Another worthwhile aid initiative is found in Sangley Point in Cavite City where the National Marine Fisheries Development Center (NMFDC) has been programmed under BFAR and is tasked to train fishing communities in modern fishing techniques as well as research on technologies that would enhance and upgrade fishing.
