THE National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) identified two fishery commodities as moderately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
The Climate Risk Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) conducted by NFRDI revealed that sardine and anchovy fisheries in Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 9 are moderately climate-vulnerable.
The agency attached to the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the assessment showed that sardine fisheries in Cabadbaran City face high exposure to storm surges and sea level rise, exacerbated by low income and inadequate fisheries support that hamper adaptive capacity.
It added that anchovy fisheries in Sibutad, Zamboanga del Norte were found to be at risk owing to habitat degradation, heavy livelihood dependence, and weak adaptation measures.
The agency said these findings underscore the need for targeted strategies to strengthen the resilience of local fishing communities.
‘Through the CRVA, we aim to generate science-based data and insights that will guide our interventions, helping our fisherfolk adapt, build resilience, and secure their future in the face of changing climate,’ NFRDI Executive Director Maria Theresa Mutia said.
To support the assessment, the agency said it conducted a series of focus group discussions (FGDs) and cost-benefit analysis (CBA) surveys in Sibutad on October 14 to 17 and in Cabadbaran City on October 21 to 24, 2025.
The FGDs covered major local commodities, including milkfish, tilapia, and sardines.
The NFRDI said Sibutad’s participants also identified anchovy and several seashell species including plicate conch (aninikad) and blood clam (litob), as key local resources, alongside rabbitfish, eel (balakase), abalone, and seaweeds.
In Cabadbaran City, it added that sardines emerged as a priority commodity, together with red snapper (maya-maya), flying fish (iliw), skipjack tuna, squid, grouper, mangrove crab, and tiger prawn.
Implemented under the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (Fishcore) project, the NFRDIA said the CRVA aims to strengthen the adaptive capacity of the country’s fisheries sector.
By engaging local communities in FMAs 6 and 9, the agency said the initiative reinforces its commitment to supporting fisherfolk livelihoods and promoting the sustainable use of marine resources through research-based, climate-responsive strategies.