Forests, fish, and the future: Living with mangroves in Zamboanga Sibugay

The document details the efforts of the Coalition of Municipal Fisherfolk Associations of Sibugay (COMFAS) and its predecessor, KGMC, to restore mangrove forests in Zamboanga Sibugay. After experiencing a decline in marine resources and increased vulnerability to climate-driven storms and flooding, local fisherfolk organized to replant mangroves and implement sustainable management practices. Through partnerships with government and academic institutions, the federation has brought approximately 12,000 hectares under protection, aiming to restore the original 16,000 hectares. The initiative emphasizes the integration of local knowledge with scientific data and the use of environmental education to reduce illegal fishing and upland soil erosion.

• Environmental degradation in Zamboanga Sibugay during the mid-1980s and 1990s was driven by massive mangrove cutting for construction and charcoal, conversion of forests to fishponds, and coastal pollution, which led to declining fisheries and the adoption of illegal practices like cyanide and dynamite fishing.
• Climate change has manifested in Zamboanga Sibugay through unexpected strong typhoons, storm surges, and coastal erosion, as the province is not typically located in the Philippines' typhoon belt. Additionally, global heating has increased water temperatures and caused the death of mangrove propagules in replanting areas.
• The Kapunongan sa Gagmay’ng Mangingisda sa Concepcion (KGMC), formed in 1986, served as the model for community-based conservation, initially planting 50 hectares of mangroves using members' own resources before receiving government and academic support.
• The Coalition of Municipal Fisherfolk Associations of Sibugay (COMFAS), a federation of 56 barangay-based organizations including Subanen and Samal indigenous people, currently protects around 12,000 hectares of mangroves with a target of restoring the original 16,000 hectares.
• COMFAS utilizes a combination of local knowledge and scientific training to implement planting techniques along riverbanks, coastal areas, and fishpond dikes to prevent soil erosion and maintain water quality.
• Environmental education initiatives by COMFAS have successfully converted previous law violators into deputized fish wardens and addressed upland soil erosion by promoting organic farming and pesticides to upland residents.

APA

Batino, L. (2021). Forests, fish, and the future: Living with mangroves in Zamboanga Sibugay. World Association for Christian Communication. https://waccglobal.org/forests-fish-and-the-future-living-with-mangroves-in-zamboanga-sibugay/

Chicago

Batino, Lora. Forests, fish, and the future: Living with mangroves in Zamboanga Sibugay. World Association for Christian Communication, 2021. https://waccglobal.org/forests-fish-and-the-future-living-with-mangroves-in-zamboanga-sibugay/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Batino |first1=Lora |title=Forests, fish, and the future: Living with mangroves in Zamboanga Sibugay |publisher=World Association for Christian Communication |date=24 November 2021 |url=https://waccglobal.org/forests-fish-and-the-future-living-with-mangroves-in-zamboanga-sibugay/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{batino2021forests, author = {Batino, Lora}, title = {{Forests, fish, and the future: Living with mangroves in Zamboanga Sibugay}}, institution = {World Association for Christian Communication}, year = {2021}, month = nov, url = {https://waccglobal.org/forests-fish-and-the-future-living-with-mangroves-in-zamboanga-sibugay/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }