Inter-Island Management Council

The Inter-Island Management Council (IIMC) was founded in February 2001 by the fisherfolks in the three island Barangays of Apuao, Caringo and Quinapaguian. The IIMC is a barangay based organization that conducts Community-based Coastal Resources Management. Because of its nature as a barangay based organization, the IIMC partners itself with the Local Government Units from the barangay to the municipal level. Since that time it has expanded into a total of 10 more barangays. It is currently working closely with the local government and is advocating for sound fishery policy and effective law enforcement in the San Miguel Bay area. The organization has become significant in the empowerment of the fishers in the sustainable management of coastal and marine resources in San Miguel Bay.

Its activities inlclude networking with the LGU, Policy Advocacy, Environmental Protection and Enhancement, and Livelihood Development. As part of the sustainable management of coastal resources, the IIMC lobbied for the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the three island barangays. These were finally approved on October 2002. The IIMC became instrumental in the monitoring of these MPAs as well as the waters around the three island barangays.

The IIMC maintains a good working relationship with the LGU not only in the implementation of the above mentioned MPAs but in the support of Bantay Dagat operations in Mercedes. Because of its involvement with the local FARMC, the IIMC has also been instrumental in the establishment of the Integrated FARMC of San Miguel Bay with the support of BFAR Region V.

In 2005, the IIMC was the recipient of a Support to Alternative Livelihood Project that was given by the German Doctors, Inc. This is an ongoing Project that was implemented with the assistance of the ISO. It is aimed at supplementing the income of members of the IIMC most of whom are municipal fishers.