By Jhoanna Faye Jacinto, STRATCOM Correspondent

The Mariano Marcos State University–College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology (MMSU-CASAT), in partnership with the INSPIRE Project of Impl. Project Philippines, formally turned over the Sustainable Tilapia Aquaculture in Ilocos Norte (SuSTAIN): A Livelihood Project for Fisherfolk along Coastal Communities on September 1 in Pasuquin. 

The initiative seeks to advance sustainable aquaculture and create resilient livelihood opportunities for fisherfolk in the province’s coastal municipalities. It is designed to reduce dependence on capture fisheries by promoting tilapia aquaculture as a viable enterprise. 

Under the project, demonstration farms for fingerling production and grow-out culture will be established in selected municipalities, including Pasuquin, Currimao, Bangui, and Pagudpud.

Beneficiaries will also undergo comprehensive training programs on aquaculture technologies, financial literacy, record keeping, and product development to strengthen their technical and entrepreneurial skills.
Project Leader Asst. Prof. Ernesto S. del Rosario Jr. emphasized that SuSTAIN is built on collaboration and shared responsibility. “This is not a dole-out program but an empowering initiative. By equipping fisherfolk with knowledge and resources, we enable them to sustain and expand their livelihood well beyond the initial support,” he stressed.

Representatives from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), local government units, and fisherfolk beneficiaries attended the turnover ceremony. Stakeholders expressed confidence that the project will boost food security, improve household incomes, and strengthen coastal resource management, supporting the province’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (No Poverty, Zero Hunger, and Life Below Water).

By integrating research-based aquaculture practices with community-driven enterprise models, SuSTAIN is envisioned to become a replicable framework for sustainable livelihood development in Ilocos Norte and beyond.

📸 College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology