From zero to hero: How an illegal fisher turned a marine conservation champion

by May Anne Ramos, UN Online Volunteer

June 14, 2021

Quirsito "Bok" Cajegas was once an illegal fisher who had a change of heart after he realized how important it was for their community to protect and conserve the marine biodiversity to which they heavily depend on. Photo: DENR-SMARTSeas PH

“Isipin natin palagi ‘yung susunod na henerasyon (Let’s always think about the future generation).”

This is what Quiristo Cajegas always tells the fishermen who listen to him speak about protecting marine life. Quiristo—who is called Bok by his neighbors in Barangay Bato, Sta, Cruz, Davao del Sur—is the chairperson of the Bato-Tagaytay marine protected area management council and the Bato Small Fisherfolks and Ferry Boat Association (BASFFA). He is a staunch advocate of marine conservation in their community.  

Bok stressed, “Kailangan may pagbabago sa ating pag-uugali at gawain para talagang maprotektahan natin ang karagatan kasi dito nakasalalay ang ating kabuhayan (We need to change our attitude and behavior to be able to protect the ocean because our livelihood depends on it).”

Who would have thought that this marine conservation advocate used to be an illegal fisher who opposed the establishment of a 25-hectare marine protected area in his community? Thanks to the training, dialogues, and education campaign led by the local government unit, Bok realized that his family and their communities greatly depend on their coastal and marine resources. This awareness was deepened when he participated in DENR-SMARTSeas PH project activities and capacity-building.

It has become part of Bok’s mission to share with everyone all the knowledge and insights he gained from his training and volunteering experience. The “kontrabida” who refused to participate in the early conservation efforts is now the “bida” who leads his association members and community in saving the seas by being a Bantay Dagat volunteer.

Bok and other BASFFA members are bangkero (boat operators) in the morning. They transport tourists to the Passig Islet, the Secret Island, and the mangrove area. At night, they patrol the protected area as Bantay Dagat volunteers to safeguard it from violators and offenders. They also always participate in regular coastal clean-up and other conservation activities.

The docking area to Passig Islet is surrounded by lush mangrove forest, which is part of the marine protected area of Barangay Bato. Photo: DENR-SMARTSeas PH

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged Bok and BASFFA financially, but they were still able to make ends meet through the financial assistance from the government. Recently, they have been allowed to operate with 50 percent passenger capacity at the fixed two-way rate (PHP160). They also look forward to using the new kayaks and beach gear provided to them by the DENR-SMARTSeas PH Project for their biodiversity-friendly enterprise (BDFE), which they established through a low-value grant agreement. Despite the delay in the delivery of the equipment caused by the pandemic, Bok and his fellow association members are excited to offer eco-tour services in the coming months, as the travel restrictions in their community gradually ease and more tourists will be allowed to explore their beach.

Bok shared that it has not been easy being an advocate because there are still fishers and offenders who threaten him because of his advocacy. Even his parents advised him to stop what he is doing as it endangers his life. But Bok is persistent because he wants the future generation to learn something from what he and his fellow Bantay Dagat are doing: “Dapat pati ang mga kabataan sumali sa training at malaman kung paano pangalagaan ang marine protected area. Para sa kinabukasan nila ito. (The youth must join conservation trainings and learn how to take care of the marine protected area. It is for their future).”

The Passig Islet is surrounded by coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests. This sanctuary is provides livelihood to Bok and other fishers in Sta. Barangay Bato, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Photo: DENR-SMARTSeas PH

Bok believes that being patient and determined are important factors to be able to continue and expand what he does. There are still those who are skeptical of what he advocates for, but he understands them as he used to be one of them. “Dapat kakausapin mo sila nang may pag-initindi kasi nasanay na sila sa ginagawa nilang illegal fishing (You have to talk to them with understanding because they have been used to illegal fishing),” he said.

Marami na sa amin ang nakakakita ng magandang bunga ng aming ginagawa. Kahit nasa bahay ka lang makakapangisda ka na. Hindi tulad dati na madalang ang mga isda (Many of us have seen the fruit of what we do. You can now fish near your home unlike before when the fish was too few).”

Bok dreams to reach more people to teach them the importance of taking care of the sea and to encourage them to act now. “Sana mas maraming makaalam ng ginagawa namin sa marine sanctuary at tularan nila kami. Gusto ko mas marami pang makaintindi, hindi lang kami sa lugar namin (I hope more people will know the work that we do for the marine sanctuary and learn from us. I want more people to understand, not just us our barangay).”

With compassion like Bok’s and BASFFA’s and the support from DENR-SMARTSeas PH Project and similar initiatives, the fight against marine degradation can surely be won.

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