WWF-Philippines, WWF-Germany Shed Light on the Effects of Climate Change on Fisheries through New Video
February 2020
Staff from WWF-Philippines and WWF-Germany are joined by the Southside Creative Studios crew. Together, these groups are informing European markets on the need for sustainably-sourced seafood. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines and WWF-Germany came together from the 17th to the 21st of February to produce a short video on climate change and its effect on the fisheries of the Philippines.
The video was shot in partnership with production house Southside Creative Studios in the municipalities of Virac, San Andres, and Bato, on the island of Catanduanes in the Bicol region.
The Southside Creative Studios team conducts an interview on the shores of the Marilima Marine Reserve, Catanduanes. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines
The new video is being released as promotional content for a new study being published by the WWF Fish Forward 2 Project. The project works with markets to promote sustainable seafood, with the goal of encouraging European consumers to buy fish sourced from small-scale fishermen based in developing countries like the Philippines.
“We want to share the lived experiences of fisherfolk in the Philippines as they face the effects of climate change on their livelihoods,” said WWF-Philippines Fish Forward 2 Officer Raisa Pandan. The study focuses heavily on the technical side of climate change. In order to make the issue more relatable to markets, however, WWF and Southside Creative Studios opted to showcase how changing climates have impacted the lives of municipal fishermen.
“The goal is to stress the urgency of climate change through a true-to-life video about those who are affected by it the most,” added Pandan.
The video shows how, over the past few decades, sea levels have risen and seafood resources have dwindled. As a result, fishermen now spend much longer at sea, with great reductions in the size and the quantity of their catches.
The team from WWF-Germany and WWF-Philippines, together with Southside Creative Studios, talk with Arnel Bitome, fisherman from the town of Codon, Catanduanes. The new video will showcase the lives of municipal fishermen and how they have been affected by changing climates. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines
“We want European consumers to know that the fish they consume comes from people who are being disproportionately affected by climate change. By choosing to source and eat sustainable fish, even those in Europe can support fisherfolk in developing countries,” concluded Pandan.
As fisheries continue to face the brunt of climate change, WWF continues its commitment to shedding light on our most pressing environmental issues.
Donate to WWF today, and help us fight for those most affected by the current climate crisis.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Joann Binondo
Fish Forward 2 Project Manager
jbinondo@wwf.org.ph
Ms. Raisa Pandan
Fish Forward 2 Project Officer
rpandan@wwf.org.ph
For media arrangements, please contact:
Ms. Pam Luber
Integrated Communications Manager
pluber@wwf.org.ph
