Manila, April 25 -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is stepping up efforts to rehabilitate the seaweed industry in Danajon islet in Bato, Leyte, after suffering production losses in the past five years.

The initiative, a partnership between BFAR regional offices in Eastern Visayas and Central Visayas, will benefit at least 1,000 farmers settled near Danajon Bank, the only double barrier reef in the country.

BFAR Eastern Visayas regional information officer Christine Gresola said in a phone interview Friday that various interventions are in place to bring back the production level recorded in 2020.

In 2020, farmers in Danajon harvested 17,731 metric tons (MT) of seaweed. Its output dropped to 11,877 MT in 2021.

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