Over 300 people joined Fish Right’s Run for the Ocean in support of marine biodiversity conservation as representatives from local government units, national government agencies, private sector groups and community stakeholders pledged to improve fisheries management in the Calamianes Island Group on 16 February 2019 in Coron, Palawan. The event was spearheaded by PATH Foundation Philippines, Inc. (PFPI), the lead consortium partner of the University of Rhode Island (URI) in Calamianes. URI, which is implementing USAID’s Fish Right Program, also works with other local organizations to cover two other priority sites — Visayan Sea and South Negros.

Dubbed in the local language as “Gorokudan para sa Kadagatan”, Fish Right’s advocacy run was aimed at raising public awareness on marine protection and sustainable fisheries in Calamianes. It was held back-to-back with a commitment wall signing by Fish Right champions in the locality. The two events drew people from various walks of life including the youth who joined three race categories.

Mangrove-planting and a fishing game that simulated Fish Right’s right-sizing of fishing effort initiative were among the challenges for the kids who joined the Amazing Race category. After the run, the runners witnessed the ceremonial signing of a pledge wall. The signing of the pledge wall marked the renewal of the public, private and community partnership for sustainable fisheries and marine biodiversity conservation in Calamianes.

“Gorokudan para sa Kadagatan” was co-orgnanized by the Fish Right Program through its implementing partner, PFPI, together with private sector and community partners namely Calamianes Association of Tourism Establishments, Calamianes Marine Protected Area Network, the local government of Coron and youth volunteers.