To support its mission of sustainable fisheries management and biodiversity conservation, the Department of Agriculture–National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI), through its Freshwater Fisheries Research and Development Center (FFRDC), conducted a three-day training for enumerators assigned to Lake Naujan.

Conducted on April 1–3, 2025, at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO) in Socorro, Oriental Mindoro, the training was designed to strengthen the technical skills of six data enumerators under the NFRDI R&D project “Stock Assessment of Lake Naujan,” along with representatives from local government units (LGUs) surrounding the lake.

Participants underwent a comprehensive program including series of lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and practical exercises on freshwater fish and aquatic invertebrate identification, standardized sampling methods, and accurate data recording techniques. A field exercise also allowed them to apply their learning in real-world conditions, guided by the FFRDC project team.

Lake Naujan, known for its ecological richness and socio-economic value, is expected to benefit significantly from this initiative. The data gathered will contribute to the development of targeted conservation strategies, resource management plans, and policy recommendations that balance environmental sustainability with the needs of local communities.

This capacity-building initiative aligns with NFRDI’s broader mandate of advancing science-based fisheries governance. By enhancing data collection and analysis skills, the project aims to generate accurate and reliable information that will inform conservation efforts and policy development.

The training underscores NFRDI’s commitment to empowering local stakeholders and strengthening institutional capacities in support of resilient and sustainable inland fisheries management. It also represents a significant step toward improving science-based policy formulation and ensuring effective resource management for one of the country’s most valuable freshwater ecosystems. ### (Angelo Carcer)