marinegirl

I’ve just got back from Siquijor, where I spent a few days helping out with the marine reserve monitoring program. The monitoring team was made up of staff from CCEF (Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation) and BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources), local guys who have previously been trained in survey techniques, some enthusiastic Peace Corps volunteers and myself. The plan was to conduct biophysical surveys (count fish) at each of the marine reserves on the island. However, progress (already on ‘island time’) was hampered by the return of Lando, which meant we could only dive at the most sheltered sites. Most of our time was spent brainstorming how to make vital pieces of survey equipment left in Cebu from things which can be purchased on a small island, driving around the island (which is gorgeous) picking up dive gear and people from various places, and stopping for ’snacks’ or lunch.

I stayed at the BFAR office (they have a couple of rooms upstairs for staff / guests) with the guys from CCEF and JR, who is one half of the Siquijor Fisheries staff. The guys were all really friendly, and full of stories about the trials of fisheries management and coastal enforcement, but although they tried to translate the conversation as much as possible I was lost a lot of the time. I certainly have a new appreciation of being on the wrong side of the language barrier, after living with lots of Frenchies in Oz! When the storm came through the power was out right across the island and we were all scrambling around trying to find matches and candles in the dark. Two guys had gone into town on a motorbike to get dinner and came back nearly drowned!

Although it was interesting to see how the MPA monitoring works, that wasn’t my purpose for the trip. I’m hoping to do some research on the municipal fisheries of Siquijor for my PhD, so my main reason for going along was to network with local dignitaries, fisheries officers, and NGO staff who will (hopefully!) be able to help me organise some focus groups with the fishers there. In that respect the trip was definitely a success - I’ve made several contacts who I think will be really helpful when I go back to work there, and have a plan of action for what I need to do, although the thought of trying to get groups of fishers together to give the right answers to the questions I need to ask in a language I don’t understand is still pretty daunting! It was great to see more of the island too (I was there for a couple of days back in August), it’s a beautiful place with really friendly people, and I can’t wait to go back again in January to start my work there.