By Kenneth Marcos 
Before dawn, many Filipino fishers decide whether to sail or stay ashore based on the sky, the wind, and experience passed down through generations. Today, as weather patterns become less predictable, science-based forecasts are becoming just as important as instinct in keeping livelihoods safe and productive.
To strengthen climate services for the fisheries sector, the Climate Risk Vulnerability Assessment team of the Department of Agriculture–National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI) visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) on January 28, 2026. The benchmarking activity focused on IRRI’s Ten-Day Forecast Application and Visualization Tool, which is being studied for possible use in a new Climate Information Service project.
The Climate Information Service, or CIS, is being developed under the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency Project, also known as FISHCORE. The project aims to turn technical weather and climate forecasts into clear, practical advisories that fishers and fish farmers can easily understand and use. These advisories are intended to support decision-making in Fisheries Management Areas 6 and 9, which cover key coastal and fishing grounds in the country.
DA-NFRDI said many fishers and aquaculture operators struggle to use existing weather information because it is often too technical or not specific to their needs. Through CIS, forecasts can be translated into guidance such as when it is safer to go out to sea, when to protect fish cages, or when to adjust feeding and harvesting schedules.
During the visit, IRRI experts presented their climate advisory tools, which have been widely used by rice farmers in the Philippines and other countries. Rowena Castillo, project manager, along with technical staff Jerome Vila and Airene Claire Baradas, introduced the Rice Crop Manager Advisory Service Climate Plus, also known as RCMAS Climate+.
The team explained how the system works, including its application programming interface and decision-making logic. The tool combines climate data, forecasts, and farm information to generate timely and location-specific advisories. While originally designed for rice production, its framework is being studied as a possible model for fisheries and aquaculture.
DA-NFRDI researchers said learning from IRRI’s experience can help speed up the development of fisheries-focused climate tools. By adapting proven systems, the government can reduce risks, save resources, and deliver more reliable information to coastal communities faster.
Climate-related risks continue to grow for the fisheries sector. Stronger typhoons, shifting fish migration patterns, rising sea temperatures, and changing rainfall affect catches and farmed fish survival. Small-scale fishers, who often lack savings and insurance, are among the most vulnerable.
Under the FISHCORE project, CIS is expected to help address these challenges by improving early warnings and planning at the local level. Fisheries Management Areas 6 and 9 were identified as priority areas due to their economic importance and exposure to climate hazards.
DA-NFRDI emphasized that the goal is not only to develop new technology, but to ensure it is usable and relevant to end users. This means working closely with local governments, fisherfolk groups, and aquaculture operators to tailor advisories to real conditions on the ground.
The benchmarking activity is part of broader efforts by the Department of Agriculture to build climate-resilient food systems. Similar approaches are already being used in crops, and officials believe fisheries should benefit from the same level of science-based support.
As climate risks continue to affect coastal livelihoods, officials said accessible and timely information can make a real difference. Better forecasts can help fishers protect lives, reduce losses, and plan their work with greater confidence.
The visit to IRRI marks an important step toward bridging science and daily practice, ensuring that climate information works not only in laboratories, but also on boats, fish ponds, and coastal communities across the country.
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