From December 2014, ATFI was selected to work in 13 fisherfolk communities in the 7 coastal municipalities and cities of South Negros Island along the coastal area of the Sulu Sea. It is a rich marine bio-diversity area threatened by over-fishing, and marine ecology destruction caused by violations of fisheries laws. ATFI assisted 14 Fisherfolk Organizations with 537 members (273 M, 264W) in developing community enterprises that served as alternative sources of livelihood for fisherfolk, and was cited by USAID as among the Ocean Champions in 2016.

 

The project SEMFISH (Development of Social Enterprises for Fishing Communities in South Negros) complemented efforts with the BFAR-USAID in ECOFISH in establishing Ecological Approaches to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Local Governments in the project area. The whole scheme regulated municipal fishing operations until marine biodiversity is rehabilitated.