I am Ricarte “Rex” Delos Angeles, Jr., 40 years old, married, and resident of Barangay Manamoc in Cuyo, Palawan. I have five children – two are in senior high school, one in junior high school, and two in elementary school. My main livelihood is fishing and seaweed farming. I employ line fishing from April to June to catch live fish, and use a mesh net from July to December when the north wind is strong and I cannot go fishing in the deeper parts of the ocean. I cultivate and harvest seaweeds seasonally.
I became a fish warden volunteer in 2003. I wanted to help protect the ocean and contribute to the improvement of our island. I joined a training on Participatory Coastal Resource Management conducted by ASF (The Andres Soriano Foundation) and learned about RA 8550 (The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998) from BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources). BFAR informed us of the proper way of dealing with illegal fishers and instructed us to apprehend those who broke the law. I also learned from ASF how to conduct fish count and coral reef check in Marine Protected Areas. These trainings helped me know more about our coastal resources and why we need to protect them.
Many illegal fishers used to enter the waters of Manamoc. I remember feeling nervous as we tried to catch them just using our small paddle boats. Some of them were not aware of the laws being enforced. So aside from issuing fines, we explained to them why they were caught and why fishing was not permitted, especially in Marine Protected Areas. We no longer confiscate their boats. After all, they are poor people, just like us. Over the years, I noticed that the number of illegal fishers has decreased and the corals are gradually returning. We can catch many fish using mesh net. If the illegal fishers had their way, all the fish would have been gone by now. Because of what we did, we can benefit from the bounty of the sea.
My 16 years of experience as a fish warden volunteer has really opened my mind and strengthened my resolve. I will continue this work and pray that we succeed and remain safe. My hope is that we all realize the importance of our coastal resources and work together to take better care of our ocean.
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Translated from Cuyonon/Filipino. Interview conducted by Jerosa Abin-Tabangay.
A Marine Protected Area is: “Any area of intertidal or sub-tidal terrain, together with its overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment,” (Kelleher, 1999). Marine Protected Areas cover many different types of protection. Some are “no-take zones” that are essential to enable fish stocks to recover while others allow multiple use of their resources. (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
Working with fish warden volunteers to establish and maintain Marine Protected Areas is part of the Foundation’s ongoing environment program which promotes the protection and conservation of terrestrial and marine resources to safeguard the island’s inherent integrity and the well-being of its people.