‘Lambaklad’ gives Zambales fishers a boost amid rising fuel costs

AGRI-NEWS | Farming Posted on 2026-04-01 05:58:07

MANILA — Fisherfolk in San Narciso, Zambales are finding a sustainable lifeline in the “lambaklad,” a fuel-efficient fishing method that is helping them cope with rising global oil prices.

According to the Deep-Sea Fishing Association of La Paz, the stationary fishing system introduced by the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) in 2024 has evolved into a vital economic tool for coastal communities.

Installed just 500 meters from shore at depths ranging from 20 to 45 meters, the lambaklad allows fishers to harvest nearshore, reducing the need for long trips into deeper waters.

The system works as a passive “set net,” using a lead net to guide schools of migratory fish into a series of chambers that end in a collection area for efficient harvesting. This design eliminates the need for active fishing, cutting fuel use while protecting marine habitats and non-target species.

Local fishers say the savings are significant. Simplicio Orendain, a lambaklad management officer, shared that a single liter of fuel is now enough for a harvest — a stark contrast to the roughly PHP1,500 previously spent on fuel for deep-sea trips.

Before adopting the method, fishers often spent entire nights at sea, traveling as far as 50 nautical miles. With lambaklad, they now conduct two daily harvests — in the morning and afternoon — each lasting just one to two hours.

Reny Correa, president of the Alimbuhabu Fishing Association, said the technology has improved both income and working conditions, allowing fishers to avoid long and risky journeys offshore.

Over the past two years, the system has produced an average annual catch of 12,000 tons of migratory species such as tuna, mackerel, squid, and round scad.

Beyond economic gains, the DA-BFAR emphasized the environmental advantages of the method. As a passive fishing technology, lambaklad minimizes seabed disturbance and supports marine conservation, with strict measures in place to release by-catch back into the water.

To further assist fishing communities, the agency has set up Community Fish Landing Centers to improve handling, storage, and market access for their catch.

Amid ongoing volatility in global fuel prices driven by tensions in the Middle East, officials see the lambaklad as a promising model for strengthening small-scale fisheries and enhancing food security.

NPO News Team | Philippine News Agency - PR

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