2011, November 04

Badoc, Ilocos Norte – In a fishing village of Saud, this town, the familiar sound of explosion from blast fishing causes no alarm among villagers. Thirty eight year-old Sherman Valdez used to be one of them. In fact, he had been an expert in dynamite fishing. But not anymore, when he completely made a turn around and led a number of local fishermen to protect the remaining coastal marine resources their family depends on for a living. Every day, they would go off the sea and monitor any activities of illegal fishing. Immediately, they would issue warning and report whoever is caught of illegal fishing.

As president of Saud-Paratong Fishermen’s Association, Valdez who is also an incumbent barangay councilor of Barangay Saud was recognized recently by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for his leadership and support in implementing fishery laws, rules and regulations. Aside from a certificate of recognition, he received an unexpected cash incentive from the BFAR for being the most outstanding fishery laws enforcer in entire Region I.