Project annual report

project
Integrated fisheries resource management
(Rinconada Lakes, Philippines and NSW
Australia)
project no. FIS/2003/033

period of report 1 June 2006 − 31 May 2007

date due 31 May 2007

date submitted 17 October 2007

prepared by Dr Philip Gibbs

Principal Fisheries Scientist
NSW Department of Primary Industries, Australia

collaborators Dr Adelaida Palma

Chief National Inland Fisheries Technology Centre
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Philippines

Dr Maria Lourdes Cuvin-Aralar

Head Binangonan Freshwater Station of SEAFDEC/AQD Philippines

Mr Jim Tait
Senior Environmental Scientist
Econcern Pty Ltd, Australia

Mr Ren Waterfall and Mr Robert Green

Directors, Earthmakers Pty Ltd, Australia
Annual Progress Report: Integrated fisheries resource management (Rinconada Lakes, Philippines and NSW Australia)

Contents
1 Progress summary......................................................................................3

2 Achievement against activities and outputs/milestones........................4

3 Impacts.........................................................................................................9
3.1 Scientific impacts...............................................................................................................9
3.2 Capacity impacts...............................................................................................................9
3.3 Community impacts.........................................................................................................10
3.4 Communication and dissemination activities...................................................................10

4 Training activities......................................................................................11

5 Intellectual property..................................................................................11

6 Variations to future activities...................................................................11

7 Variations to personnel.............................................................................11

8 Problems and opportunities.....................................................................11

9 Budget........................................................................................................12

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 Annual Progress Report: Integrated fisheries resource management (Rinconada Lakes, Philippines and NSW Australia)

1 Progress summary
The project Memorandum of Agreement with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources in the Philippines was signed in September 2006. Initial planning and
preparation for the official project launch was scheduled for November 2006 to coincide
with the commencement of the first phase of the project participatory consultative
meetings and the commencement of the fish cage aquaculture experiments.

The study area is in the Camarines Sur and Albay provinces (Bicol region) of the
Philippines. The three Rinconada Lakes (Buhi, Bato and Baao – Bula) are located within
the five local government Municipalities of Buhi, Bato, Baao, Bula and Libon and
involvement of municipal staff in the project has been negotiated.

Unfortunately the Bicol region was impacted by a sequence of five typhoons from late
September 2006 to mid December 2006. Three of the typhoons were of a significant
nature reaching category 4 status (this is the most destructive category used in the
Philippines rating system of 1 to 4).

Mount Mayon is one of the three active volcanos in the Bicol region and in November/
December 2006 the 4 day duration typhoon Durian (locally known as Reming) activated a
major mud flow of volcanic tuff and ash left on the slopes of Mount Mayon from the
February 2006 eruption. The combination of destructive winds to 195 kph, torrential rain
and mud flows in the Bicol floodplain caused considerable loss of infrastructure and many
human deaths.

As a consequence of these natural disasters the project objectives and scheduling of work
tasks had to be reassessed and modified to accommodate the changes in the study area
associated with the disruption to peoples livelihoods, damage and loss of fish cages and
the flushing of the water hyacinth from the Lake system.

After the redrafting of the project methodology and work tasks, official briefings of the
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regional staff and the local government
officials of the four Municipalities (Buhi, Bato, Baao and Bula) including the incumbent
Mayors were undertaken in January 2007. All Municipalities were very supportative of the
project and committed to active involvement.

The project was officially launched on 1 February 2007 in the Municipality of Buhi. The
launch involved officials from all municipalities and was combined with the release into
Lake Buhi by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of 100,000 common and
bighead carp fingerlings. This was part of the rehabilitation and enhancement of the wild
capture fishery in Lake Buhi following the typhoon disaster.

After the launch capacity building seminars for stakeholders were held. Further targeted
consultative and training workshops were held in early March in Bula, mainly for members
of the FARMC’s (Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils) of the different
municipalities. The involvement of STREAM (Support to Regional Aquatic Resources
Management) in conducting the livelihoods analysis for the project and the coordination
with the capacity building activities for the local fisherfolk organisations to be done by
regional staff was finalised.

Philippine project scientists Dr. Adelaida Palma and Dr. Maria Lourdes Aralar travelled to
Australia in March 2007 to meet with Australian project staff and project collaborators
working on the water hyacinth composting technology. Visits to a number of NSW
Department of Primary Industries aquaculture facilities were arranged and detailed

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 Annual Progress Report: Integrated fisheries resource management (Rinconada Lakes, Philippines and NSW Australia)

planning of the fish cage experiments in the Philippines on stocking density, feeding rates
and cage spacing was undertaken.

In late April 2007, the stocking density trials in Lake Bato with four fish farmer co-
operators were started. This involved transporting and stocking 45,000 size 17 Tilapia
fingerlings into 36 fish cages (3 stocking densities x 3 replicates x 4 locations).The same
experimental trials were started in Lake Buhi in late May.

Agreements on the establishment of the water quality laboratories and the water quality
sampling program were reached with the Local Government Units via the Mayor in both
Buhi and Bato. Training of the water quality technicians from the four Local Government
Units was done during the April field work in Lake Bato, and monthly water quality
monitoring commenced.

The water quality in Lakes Buhi and Bato during the early summer months April / May
deteriorated significantly, with dissolved oxygen levels falling below 5 mg/l in surface
waters and below 1 mg/l in bottom waters. Water depth in Lake Bato was also less than
2.5 m in some sites due to lack of water inflow and water drawdown. This has a significant
effect on the effective stocking densities estimated for the experiments as the fish cages
in Bato are 2.5m deep.

Water hyacinth presence in the Lakes has been significantly reduced by the flushing effect
of the typhoons. Consequently a rescheduling of the water hyacinth composting trials to
2008 has occurred. The specifications and design of the locally manufactured rice
threshers was investigated in relation to possible modification for use in preparing the
water hyacinth for the composting trials. A discussion was held with Mr Glen Calleja of
Eco Fish Park, re the use of probiotics (microbial accelerants) for treatment of compost
and the possible trialling of the product he has developed in the composting activities.

2 Achievement against activities and

outputs/milestones
NOTE:- The effective project commencement date is January 2007

Objective 1: To facilitate adoption by key stakeholders of management actions to

improve management of the Rinconada Lakes in the Philippines and of selected
fisheries resources in NSW, Australia
no. activity outputs/ completion comments
milestones date
1.1 Documenting the Relevant On going A series of devastating typhoons which
current impact of components hit the project area in the last quarter of
aquaculture applied 2006 resulted in severe damage to
production and aquaculture as well as flushing water
aquatic weed Risk matrix hyacinth from the lakes. A reappraisal
infestation on the available and of this activity is in progress.
aquatic published
ecosystems in the Assessments by BFAR of typhoon
Rinconada Lakes damage to aquaculture and wild
by adapting fisheries are complete.
ecosystem
assessment
methodologies

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Annual Progress Report: Integrated fisheries resource management (Rinconada Lakes, Philippines and NSW Australia)

1.2 Developing and Meetings January/ During the project launching in

implementing facilitated to February 2007 January /February 2007 a
stakeholder ensure active March 8-11, comprehensive briefing of municipal
consultative stakeholder 2007 officials on the project aims and
processes to participation and activities was completed to initiate full
ensure ownership ownership. involvement of the municipalities in the
of information On going implementation of the project and
about the current Meetings held on eventual adoption of the management
status of the schedule recommendations; The four Municipal
ecosystem and mayors were very receptive to the
understanding of project and promised complete
required cooperation.
management
actions at the An initial capacity building and training
community user workshop was conducted. Participants
level were the planning and development
officer, municipal agriculturist and
fisheries officer of the municipalities of
Buhi, Bato, Baao and Bula. Fisherfolk
and FARMC members and fish farmer
cooperators for the experimental trials
Each municipality identified the
problems in their area and suggested
interventions/solutions to these
problems.

In May 2007, local elections were held

and there was a change in the
administration of each of the four
municipalities. Local project scientists
will meet with the new mayors to
reintroduce the ACIAR project to them
and to encourage their support.
1.3 Improving Questionnaire Not yet due No activity
scientist/manager, available
manager/stakehol
der and Interviews
scientist/stakehold complete
er interactions to
increase the
effective adoption Outcome
of management published
plans for fisheries
resources in
NSW, Australia
PC = Partner Country, A = Australia

Objective 2: To facilitate improved fish cage management to increase economic

return and reduce impacts on water quality in Lakes Buhi and Bato, Philippines.
no. activity outputs/ completion comments
milestones date

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Annual Progress Report: Integrated fisheries resource management (Rinconada Lakes, Philippines and NSW Australia)

2.1 To establish on- Experimental March 2007 Training visit to Australia by Dr Palma
farm trials with design workshop and Dr Cuvin Aralar
selected fish cage held in Australia.
cooperators
(through FARMC All fish farmer
groups) including March and Stocking density trials with four fish
cooperator April 2007 farmer cooperators was started in late
the establishment training
of demonstration April in Lake Bato; similar trials with
completed. another set of four fish farmer
cages to trial cage
spacing, cage cooperators was started in Lake Buhi in
design, modified Sites established late May;
stocking and
feeding rates to Stocking On going
obtain maximum experiments April, 2007
fish growth and and on-going
minimize (Lake Bato);
Feeding
environmental May 2007 and
Experiments
pollution on-going (Lake
Buhi)
Cage spacing
experiments
2.2 To instigate Training complete. February Water quality training was provided for
stakeholder Stakeholders March 2007 both the field and laboratory
participatory understand how to components.
monitoring of measure water
critical water quality variables There are delays in the establishment
quality parameters and how to of the water quality laboratories.
at different depths interpret basic
over temporal and data.
spatial scales Laboratory Water quality monitoring in fish cage
within each lake functioning. cooperator sites started with the
and disseminate stocking density trials in Lakes Bato
information to fish and Buhi; An additional 10 stations for
farmers Samples April, 2007 Lakes Buhi and Bato and a total of 10
collected. and on-going stations for Lake Baao-Bula are being
(Lake Bato); sampled commencing in May 2007.
Events sampled. May 2007 and
on-going (Lake
Sampling Buhi)
complete.
The Municipal agriculturist and the
Reporting on cooperators in each Lake are provided
schedule. with the water quality data for the lakes
2.3 To assess Review complete. ongoing Initial contact with NIA and NAPOCOR
impacts of made.
irrigation and Analysis
hydroelectric complete. Water hyacinth in both lakes has been
drawdown of lake dramatically reduced because of the
water level and heavy rains and strong winds due to
water hyacinth Drawdown
schedule typhoon activity in late 2006.
infestation on fish
cage production documented.

Sampling
complete.

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Annual Progress Report: Integrated fisheries resource management (Rinconada Lakes, Philippines and NSW Australia)

2.4 To collect socio Data collected. Not yet due

economic data Form designed.
based on Survey complete.
interview surveys
of fish cage Report complete.
coperators to Report complete.
quantify the Report complete.
economic gain
and livelihood
component of the
implemented
activities
PC = Partner Country, A = Australia

Objective 3: To effectively manage water hyacinth infestations in Lakes Buhi, Bato

and Baao, Philippines, by physical removal.
no. activity outputs/ completion comments
milestones date
3.1 Work with the Technology ongoing Initial development of the composting
municipal transferred technology has commenced with
governments of Earthmakers Pty Ltd. However the 2006
Buhi, Bato and Compost in use typhoon activity has delayed this work
Baao and and compost activity.
FARMCs who are plants operating
currently
physically
removing water
hyacinth from the
lakes to establish
a pilot program
using successful
Australian water
hyacinth
composting
technology, to
assess the
economic
incentive for water
hyacinth
management
provided by
compost
production.
3.2 Examine the Hyacinth cover Not yet due Typhoons and associated floods in late
management documented 2006 occurred before appropriate pre
opportunities impact base line data were collected.
provided by Calculations
natural events complete
such as typhoon-
associated floods
as part of an Recommendation
integrated s published
approach to the
control of water
hyacinth.
3.3 Survey the Review complete Not yet
available implemented
biological control Survey complete
agents for water
hyacinth in the
Philippines.

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Annual Progress Report: Integrated fisheries resource management (Rinconada Lakes, Philippines and NSW Australia)

3.4 Document the Costs Not yet due

financial feasibility documented
of the composting
technology Costs
including the documented
capital costs of
the equipment
and infrastructure. Economic
analysis complete
PC = Partner Country, A = Australia

Objective 4: To document and package the ecosystem based management findings

and outcomes of this project for adoption.
no. activity outputs/ completion comments
milestones date
4.1 To recommend Report complete Not yet due
best management
practice for fish
cage aquaculture
in the Rinconada
Lake System and
eventual
implementation
across the
Philippines.
4.2 To hold a Workshop Not yet due
workshop on organised
consultation
frameworks, Workshop held
ecosystem based
management and
capacity building Publication
of fish cage available
aquaculture and
aquatic weed
management for
ACIAR-funded
projects in
Philippines,
Indonesia, Sri
Lanka, Vietnam,
and Australia.
4.3 To document the Report published Not yet due
commonalities in
expectations
between
stakeholders,
managers and
scientists across
cultural contexts
of the Philippines
and NSW
Australia.
PC = Partner Country, A = Australia

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 Annual Progress Report: Integrated fisheries resource management (Rinconada Lakes, Philippines and NSW Australia)

3 Impacts

Scientific impacts
No scientific impacts to date.

Capacity impacts
1) When Dr Palma and Dr Cuvin Aralar visited Australia in March 2007 knowledge and
skills transfer were a key aspect of the workshop at Port Stephens to finalise the
experimental design for the project. This was complemented by the inspection and
discussions with Earthmakers at the Southern Cross University business park Lismore, on
compost technology. In addition a number of NSW aquaculture stations were visited
during the trip and a data and information exchange on culture of NSW aquaculture
species especially silver perch occurred. This has a wider application within BFAR
Philippines outside of this ACIAR project.

2) The capacity building workshop held on 8-11 March 2007 in the Philippines for
fisherfolk and officials of the four municipalities covered the following topics:
• Understanding the Lake Ecosystem
• Nature and Origin of Lakes
• Focus on Rinconada Lakes
• Physical and Biological Components of the Lake Ecosystem
• Water Quality Analysis and Instrumentation
• Problems and Constraints of the Multiple Uses of an Open Access Resources
• Impacts of Aquaculture on the Lakes Ecosystem
• Fishery Enhancement Methodologies
• Basin Approach and other Concepts of Inland Resource Management
• Institutional Framework of Resource Conservation and Management
• Legal Aspects of Lake Conservation and Management
• Community Mobilization
• Social Aspects of Resource Rehabilitation (Social Mobilization, Value Orientation,
and Community Mobilization)

The workshop included lectures, group discussions and activities. The workshop was
important in providing the stakeholders with a holistic view of the lake ecosystem,
including parameters and issues outside their normal focus, interest or involvement.

Towards the end of the workshop, the participants were able to demonstrate their ability to
integrate the concepts learned through identification of the problems in each of their
respective lakes and what can be done to address or reduce such problems. They were
also able to identify the different groups/agencies/institutions that have the capability to do
something about the specific problem areas.

3) The fish farmer cooperators have been fully briefed and trained on the conduct of the
experimental fish cage stocking trials in their respective lakes and how important their
roles are in the project.

4) Water quality instruments purchased by the project are available to increase the
capacity of BFAR Philippines staff to monitor water quality in Lakes not studied as part of
this project.

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 Annual Progress Report: Integrated fisheries resource management (Rinconada Lakes, Philippines and NSW Australia)

Community impacts
The official launching of the project was attended by the mayors or their representatives of
the target municipalities of Buhi, Bato, Baao and Bula, other municipal officials, the
Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for Region V and his staff as
well as local fisherfolk and interested residents of the barangays around the Lakes. The
project collaborators presented the objectives of the project as well as a summary of the
projected activities over the life of the project.

Economic impacts
No impact at this early stage in the project

Social impacts
No impact at this early stage in the project

Environmental impacts
The involvement in the official launch of fisherfolk and Lake barangay residents with a
concern for the environmental and social conditions in the Lakes represents a community
impact due to the uptake of information from the project. This is complemented by the
training of barangay and FARMC representatives at the March 2007 capacity building
workshop which focused on the ecology and environmental importance of the Lakes to the
community.

Communication and dissemination activities

Coordination meetings
January / February 2007 (in Philippines)
Official Launch and public forum
BFAR central office staff
BFAR region 5 staff
Municipal Officials from Bato, Buhi, Bula and Baao
Asian Development Bank re livelihood projects

March 2007 (in Australia)

DPI project staff at Cronulla
Jim Tait Econcern re water hyacinth at Huonbrook
Earthmakers re compost objective at Southern Cross University, Lismore

April / May 2007 (in Philippines)

BFAR region 5 staff
BFAR central office
STREAM
Municipal Officials from Bato and Buhi
Glen Calleja Eco Fish Park Pili
ACIAR Fisheries Program Manager (at BFAR Quezon City)

Workshops / Training
January / February 2007 (in Philippines)
Stakeholders of Buhi, Bato, Bula and Baao on the objectives and anticipated outcomes of
the project.

March 2007 (in Philippines)

Stakeholders of Buhi, Bato, Bula and Baao on the capacity building and knowledge of
Lake Ecosystems.

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 Annual Progress Report: Integrated fisheries resource management (Rinconada Lakes, Philippines and NSW Australia)

Fish cage cooperators in both Buhi and Bato Lakes on the specific requirements for their
involvement in the fish, stocking density experiments.

March 2007 (in Australia)

Project experimental design at Port Stephens.

April / May 2007 (in Philippines)

LGU technicians from Buhi, Bato, Bula and Baao on use of the water quality instruments
and nutrient analysis kits.

4 Training activities
No training activities leading to a formal educational qualification were undertaken

5 Intellectual property
No abnormal issues to report

6 Variations to future activities

The typhoon damage in the region and the resultant reduction in water hyacinth presence
in the Lakes have delayed implementation of Objective 3.

A reassessment of the water hyacinth activities have been made and complete
eradication of water hyacinth from the Lake systems is no longer the prime objective of
the stakeholders. Rather the stakeholders want to manage and utilise the excessive
growth of water hyacinth when the floating mats impact fish cage culture and boat
navigation. As a consequence the allocated ratio of resources to be spent by Econcern
Pty Ltd and Earthmakers Pty Ltd in the project will change. However, this will be within the
existing budget.

7 Variations to personnel
Due to the Philippines election ban on the hiring of personnel during March and April
2007, there was a delay in the hiring of the full time research assistant to work for the
project in the Bicol region.

8 Problems and opportunities

The logistic problems caused by volcanic and typhoon activities in the study region are
detailed elsewhere in this report. This has been addressed by rescheduling of activities
especially for objective 3 on water hyacinth.

Minor administrative / operational challenges associated with communication issues

between the regional and central office staff of BFAR are apparent. A plan of providing
both verbal and written updates has been established. In addition Dr M Cuvin Aralar is
visiting the study sites on a monthly basis.

Government elections in the Philippines occurred in May 2007. As a result the Mayor in
each of the four municipalities collaborating in the project changed. In addition a new
Director of Region 5 BFAR was appointed. This represents both a problem in the need to
rebrief the officials and gain active commitment and an opportunity to progress forward

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 Annual Progress Report: Integrated fisheries resource management (Rinconada Lakes, Philippines and NSW Australia)

with the revised project activities, which were necessitated by the typhoon destruction in
the Bicol region.

9 Budget
To be provided by the External Funding Unit Department of Primary Industries head office
Orange.

No significant variations to the approved budget have occurred during the reporting
period.

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