BFAR rolls out plan for sardines management in Surigao Norte
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) Caraga has continued the regional rollout of the Sardines Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) with the second leg in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.
Held on October 7, the Sardines FMP rollout aims to promote science-based and ecosystem-based fisheries management to rebuild and sustain sardine stocks while supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on the resource.
According to Andy Ordoña, information officer of DA-BFAR Caraga, “The rollout initiative featured discussions on the key components of the Sardines FMP-9, including harvest strategies and proposed management interventions designed to address declining sardine stocks in the region.”
The activity discussed the harvest strategy to guide science-based interventions, and presented the proposed Fisheries Administrative Order on the sardines closed season in the fisheries management area (FMA)-9.
Benjie Garay, fishing regulations officer I of the Enforcement and Regional Monitoring Control and Surveillance Operations Center, outlined the framework and management arrangements under the FMA-9 sardines FMP. Joyce Baclayo, project leader of the National Stock Assessment Program, discussed the harvest strategy to guide science-based interventions. Meanwhile, Attorney Eharra Christa Lasala, head of the Legal Unit, presented the proposed Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) on the sardines closed season in FMA-9
FMA-9 is a fisheries management area in the Philippines managed by the DA-BFAR to sustainably manage fisheries in a specific zone that covers parts of Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao, and the Caraga region.
The regional rollout forms part of the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) implementation, which seeks to enhance fisheries management and resilience within FMA-9.
The event gathered fisheries officials, representatives from local government units, and partner agencies to strengthen collaborative efforts in ensuring the sustainable management of sardine resources under FMA-9.
Francisco Gubaton, participant from the municipality of Placer, thanked the national government through DA-BFAR for initiating a collaborative and collective action to ensure the sustainable management of sardine resources.
He also emphasized the necessity of providing sustainable livelihood interventions and improving income opportunities for coastal fishing communities. “This is crucial for encouraging fisherfolk to participate in conservation efforts, strictly adhering to laws and regulations, particularly against catching juvenile sardines or locally known as ‘tamban,’ and reducing fishing pressure.”
DA-BFAR said it will sustain the conduct of the on-the-ground Sardines FMP rollout in the municipalities and cities covered by FMA-9 in the Caraga region to engage and inform fishing communities on the ongoing initiative. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DA-BFAR Caraga)
