MOGPOG, MARINDUQUE — To help address mounting challenges faced by local fishing communities, Bluer Seas Philippines officially launched the Building Inclusive and Climate-Resilient Seafood Value Chains through Responsible Seafood Sourcing (ValueSeas) project. The initiative was formally introduced during an inception workshop held on 7th May in the Municipality of Mogpog, Marinduque, bringing together stakeholders from the local government, national and provincial government agencies, and women and fisherfolk associations.
The ValueSeas project is supported by the UK’s Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition (COAST) Facility Philippines and aims to tackle critical issues in the local seafood sector, including declining fish catches, post-harvest losses, limited market access, and gaps in food safety and fisheries compliance.
Mogpog Mayor Senen Livelo Jr. welcomed the participants and expressed his gratitude to the UK COAST Facility and Bluer Seas Philippines for bringing such initiatives emphasizing economic growth is a priority and environmental preservation. “This initiative will be a boon for our coastal communities and their livelihoods,” Livelo said, urging residents to be steadfast protectors of the environment.. “May everyone be responsible in the care, protection, and use of our oceans for our continuous and abundant living.”During the event, attendees received an in-depth introduction on the Responsible Seafood Sourcing (RSS) framework. The RSS standard is a market-based, practical tool designed to evaluate entire supply chains and promote legal compliance, traceability, and environmental sustainability. Recognizing that challenges in the sector disproportionately affect different members of the community, the project is placing a strong emphasis on inclusivity. ValueSeas seeks to bridge gaps in inclusivity and the persistent problem of labor invisibility by integrating Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles into its core strategy.
The inception workshop also served as a vital platform for stakeholders, including representatives from the Municipality of Mogpog, Guisan barangay officials, the Guisian Fisherfolks Association (GFA), the Guisian Women’s Fisherfolks Association (GWFA), the Provincial Government of Marinduque, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Marinduque State University, and civil society organizations, to build a shared understanding of the project’s goals and identify priority needs. It also featured industry insights on real-world applications of RSS from market partners Tindagat and Fishta Seafood Inc., followed by an interactive “World Cafe” session where participants mapped the current fisheries situation, and determined their roles and pathways forward.
The launch included a strong show of unity through a commitment circle and formal expressions of support from community leaders, the LGU of Mogpog, BFAR, and DTI MIMAROPA, who committed to working with the LGU in providing an ice plant for the municipality.
Moving forward, the ValueSeas project will roll out targeted capacity development programs covering fisheries management, food safety, post-harvest processing, and enterprise development. By fostering strong collaborations between the community, LGUs, NGAs, and private partners, Bluer Seas Philippines and the COAST Facility are taking critical steps to ensure that Marinduque’s seafood value chains are sustainable, profitable, and accessible to all.
