Single-Use Batteries are killing the finances of our local fisherfolk.
But finances aren't the only thing that these batteries are killing...
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The Bantayan Group of Islands is located between the Visayan Sea and the Tanon Straight in the center of the Philippines. This archipelago is divided into three separate municipalities.
The islanders mainly depend on the sea for their livelihood, thus these islands consist of many coastal fishing communities. There are more than 700 compressor divers in the municipality of Bantayan alone. Compressor diving is a dangerous and desperate form of fishing and is a result of overfishing, illegal fishing and lack of proper law enforcement. Men dive up to 40 meters deep using make shift gear and spend an average of 8 hours under water. Diving at night, they dispose up to 3 dry cell batteries per dive directly into the ocean. |
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A Single Diver
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All Bantayan Divers
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All thrown into the ocean. Literally.
The solution? Rechargeable batteries, Clean Up Drives, Education.
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GOODLand has created a rechargeable system that will last up to two years. Imagine the impact. We have started with distributing 270 rechargeable flashlight systems during December, 2021 until today. Through this project we have built relationships and formed collaborations with several fishing communities, educating them about the importance of protecting and conserving our environment. In turn, the local communities benefit not only economically but through learning to work together again. Conservation, community and livelihood go hand in-hand. We would like to thank Mercedes U. Zobel for believing in us and sponsoring this initial pilot project for the Bantayan Battery Solution. |
A documentary about the on-going pilot project:
Click the image to play the documentary.