In the coastal barangay of Baras in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, life has always revolved around the sea. For Bryan Daguinod, a 34-year-old fisher and father, the Pacific Ocean was once his only source of livelihood. He would often spend two to four days at sea, braving unpredictable waters to provide for his family. But despite his perseverance, the income he earned was barely enough to meet the needs of his household—especially with children in school.

That all changed when he joined the AquaBiz School and Technology Business Incubation (ABS-TBI) program of the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI).

“Naging BFAR abalone beneficiary ako,” Bryan recalls. “Tapos noong naghahanap ng incubatee ang NFRDI, isa po ako sa nairekomenda tapos nainterview. Sa awa ng Diyos ay napiling maging abalone incubatee,” recalled Daguinod.

His journey into abalone farming started with the training sessions organized by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). He saw potential in the shellfish known for its high market value and export potential. “Tinatawag ko itong alkansya,” he said with a chuckle, “dahil hindi naman agaran ang kita. Kailangan pa rin ng sipag at tyaga.”

And he was right. After 10 months of meticulous work, Daguinod harvested 3,125 market-size abalones from the 3,600 seedlings he stocked in July 2023. That was an impressive 87 percent survival rate—proof of the dedication and skills he honed through the incubation program. He earned PhP 30,804 from selling the harvest at PhP 340 per kilogram, despite market prices being lower than usual due to bad weather and low demand.

Beyond the financial rewards, Daguinod said the biggest impact has been the knowledge he gained. “Marami akong natutunan sa pag-aalaga ng abalone tulad ng pagmomonitor kasi minsan pinapasok ang setup ng maliliit na crabs na kumakain ng abalone… Pangalawa ang abalone ay aktibo tuwing gabi. Kapag high tide umaakyat sila sa nets…posibleng maging cause ng pagkamatay nila so kinakailangan ko silang ibalik sa ilalim,” he explained.

Thanks to the project, Daguinod and his wife were able to repair their home, buy school supplies for their children, invest in new fishing gear, and even save a bit—a far cry from the struggles they faced before.

The abalone farm in Guiuan is the first successful harvest under the ABS-TBI initiative, a collaboration among NFRDI, BFAR, and the local fisherfolk. Led by NFRDI-Marine Fisheries Research and Development Center (MFRDC) Chief Nonita Cabacaba, the project aims to empower local fishers with mature aquaculture technologies to supplement income and support food security.

Daguinod is now more than just a fisher—he’s a beacon of what’s possible when technology meets trust and hard work.

“Inaasahan ko na magpatuloy pa ang proyektong ito para marami pa ang ma-engganyo sa pag-aalaga ng abalone,” he said. “Nagpapasalamat po ako sa NFRDI sa oportunidad na isa po ako sa mga napiling maging incubatee ng ABS-TBI….More power po sa inyo at sana marami pa po kayong matulungan kagaya ko.”

With the ocean still in sight, Daguinod now sees a future that is not just about surviving the waves, but riding them toward sustainable success. ### (Cyrenes Moncawe)