Sa lawud itagak, sa bukid pangitaon. (Drop it into the deep sea, but look for it in the mountains.) This is how 65-year-old fisherman Mamelito Quisada describes the traditional deep-sea fishing method practiced by his community in Del Pilar village on the island town of Socorro, Surigao del Norte province. Quite archaic, but undoubtedly, it works. Fishermen go some 10 kilometers out into municipal waters facing the Pacific Ocean and lower a line of 10 to 14 “bobo” traps, or “fish pots,” onto the seabed. They return to the spot on the morning of the third day and haul in their catch. What is admirable is their level of estimation: There are no poles or buoys to indicate where the traps are laid, as these are prone to theft by unscrupulous fishermen.

Rosas, J. (2015, August 9). 'Bobo' traps: A smart way to fish. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A8.