Fifty-one fisherfolk and four aquaculture farm operators from Masinloc and Palauig, Zambales were surveyed for Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) to assess the profitability of climate change mitigation interventions in the fisheries sector held on April 8-11, 2025.

The activity was part of the project “Climate Risk Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) in Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs) 6 and 9,” implemented under the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FISHCORE) of DA-NFRDI.

Senior Research Specialist Vanessa Mae Escaño emphasized the critical role of CBA in supporting CRVA implementation while Gem Sammer Castro, Science Research Specialist I, served as the resource speaker, providing guidance for the participants on how to properly accomplish the survey questionnaires.

Twelve personnel from the FISHCORE Regional Project Implementing Unit (RPIU) and FMA Coordinating Unit (FCU), along with Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Provincial Fishery Office (PFO), and the Municipal Agriculturist Offices (MAO) of Masinloc and Palauig underwent training on CBA.

The survey covered six aquaculture farms producing catfish, milkfish, and shrimp, along with an assessment of the scad fishery for capture fisheries. Additionally, fisherfolk also voiced their concerns regarding ongoing international disputes over fishing grounds.

This activity is a key step toward strengthening climate resilience in coastal and fisheries communities through data-driven planning and interventions. ### (Vanessa Mae Escaño)