On March 6, 2022, at the Kaputian Beach Park, 38 Samaleño fishers eagerly participated in the first ever hook and line fishing competition on Samal Island during the 24th founding anniversary week-long celebration.
Fishing has been one of the main livelihoods of our fellow Samaleños since then. In fact, during the height of the pandemic, many were fond of fishing, a livelihood and leisure activity at the same time. This momentous event shows that our fisherfolks are competitive and have always been willing.
The competition was comprised of five categories, namely the High Value Fish Catch, Low Value Fish Catch, One Biggest Weight Fish, Highest Total Weight Based on Fishing Gears used (Sarangat, Palangre, Pahawin, Tonton, and Undak), and the Rarest Fish Specie Caught.
It started at 2:00 PM on March 5, 2022 and ended at 9:00 AM on March 6, 2022. Two fishing spots were designated for the competitors: Kaputian Beach Park to Brgy. San Remegio to Talikud Island and Kaputian Beach Park to Brgy. San Jose. They were strictly restricted from going near the fish sanctuaries.
Under the High Value Fish Catch, Dindo Estrera from Brgy. Adecor with his 8.57 kls catch bagged the first place, followed by Doming Antolin from the same barangay with a 7.04 kls catch, and Roger Baculayan of Brgy. Poblacion Kaputian with his 6.365 kls fish catch placed 3rd. The winners brought home P6000, P4000, and P2500 cash prizes, respectively.
On the other hand, Richard Cañete from Brgy. Limao dominated the Low Value Fish Catch with his 33 kls. of assorted kinds of fish, followed by Johny Accion from Brgy. Linosutan with 19.755 kls, and Nestor Indoy, Jr. with 19.51 kls, took the last spot. The winners also brought home P6000, P4000, and P2500 cash prizes, respectively.
Moreover, the highest total weight of Sarangat fishing gear was bagged by Jesrel Aliaga from Brgy. Cogon, Talicud Island with a 17 kls catch, Dindo Estrera from Brgy. Adecor won on the Palangre fishing gear with his 8.57 kls catch, Roger Baculayan from Brgy. Poblacion Kaputian won on the Pahawin fishing gear with his 6.365 kls catch, Crisanto Cabunita of Brgy. Dadatan won on Tonton fishing gear with his 1.02 kilo catch, and Richard Cañete of Brgy. Limao took first place in the Undak fishing gear with a 33.05 kilo catch. They brought home a P1000 cash prize.
The Biggest Weight Fish competition was won by Antonio Romarate of Brgy. Peñaplata with his Lapu-Lapu weighing 3.970 kilos and took home a P5000 cash prize, while Dario Accion caught Flying Gurnard Fish, which won as the rarest fish specie caught and took home a P1000 cash prize.
Also, P1000-cash was given to the fishers as assistance at the start of the competition, and P500 as a consolation prize to the non-winners participants.
The competition was made successful through the coordination of the City Investment and Tourism office, headed by Officer in-Charge Rosabel Jusguan, and the event committee, headed by Engr. John Kenneth D. Enumerables, and with the cooperation of the City Agriculture’s Office-Fisheries Division, Philippine Coast Guard-IGACOS, and Task Force Samal. (CIO-IGACOS / Writer: Novy Creta)
