The FMA 6 Coordinating Unit 1 (FCU1) of BFAR–Regional Fisheries Office 1, through the Modern and Resilient Livelihood Investment (MaRLIn) Component of the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project, is beginning to reap the fruits of its implementation efforts, as two fisherfolk association beneficiaries recently conducted successful initial harvests from their aquaculture projects.

The Caoayan Pantay Tamurong Fishermen Association of Caoayan, Ilocos Sur, which established and stocked siganid, milkfish, and crab seeds for its polyculture project on December 17, 2025, recorded an initial harvest of 451 kilograms (kg) of milkfish, 9 kg of siganid, and 3 kg of crabs. The harvest generated total sales amounting to P179,680.00 on May 26, 2026.

Expressing his gratitude for the support received, Association President Danilo Quiocho said, “Maraming salamat sa programang ito at sa BFAR na nagbigay ng oportunidad sa amin. Napatunayan namin na maganda ang kalidad ng mga isda at malaking tulong ito sa aming kabuhayan.”

The harvested produce was marketed within the locality and through the Kadiwa ng Pangulo initiative facilitated by the LGU- Caoayan, providing fisherfolk with additional market opportunities and improved income generation.

Meanwhile, the Sta. Cruz Las-ud Fishermen Association, headed by Rolando Bio of Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur, conducted an initial harvest of 119.5 kg of bangus from its polyculture project on May 27, 2026. The project, which commenced on January 14, 2026, generated P17,480.00 in sales through local market distribution.

These initial harvests highlight the positive impact of the FishCoRe Project in strengthening fisherfolk livelihoods, enhancing aquaculture productivity, and promoting sustainable and resilient fisheries-based enterprises in the coastal communities of Ilocos Region.