Fisheries Resource Management Section - BFAR X

23/01/2023

FIN FACT !! 🦈

The inclusion of Requiem Sharks Family (Carcharhinidae spp.) to CITES Appendix II.

** The export of any CITES-listed species gathered or taken from the wild is prohibited under Section 102 of RA 8550 as amended by RA 10654. However, aquatic wildlife collected pursuant to an approved scientific research or bioprospecting undertaking may be allowed for export. **

11/01/2023

02/06/2022

𝐃𝐀 𝐁𝐅𝐀𝐑-𝐗 𝐊𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 (𝐅𝐒) 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨

In line with the objectives of the Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan (CNFIDP) 2022-2026 of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) towards Sustainable Fisheries Management and Development, the BFAR-X continued its annual monitoring of Fish Sanctuaries (FS) in the region for the 1st Semester of CY 2022.

Of the identified target Fish Sanctuaries of BFAR-X in the region, the following areas have already been monitored by the Provincial Fisheries Office (PFO) concerned and Fisheries Resource Management Section (FRMS) of the bureau, in coordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs):
1. March 8 - Mambayaan Fish Sanctuary, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental
2. April 19 - Tawi-tawi-Tuburan Fish Sanctuary, Aloran, Misamis Occidental
3. April 20 - Mobod Fish and Shellfish Marine Sanctuary, Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental
4. April 25 - Burias Shoal Marine Protected Area, El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental
5. April 27 - Assessment of Proposed Fish Sanctuary, Talisayan, Misamis Oriental
6. April 28 - Poblacion Fish Sanctuary, Talisayan, Misamis Oriental
7. May 5 - Alubijid Fish Sanctuary, Alubijid, Misamis Oriental
8. May 11 - Tubajon Marine Protected Area, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental

This management initiative is in response to the data gaps on corals and fish, as well as to assist LGUs in strengthening their FS management. Data generated and interpreted through these assessments can be used by the LGUs to formulate their science-based policies. As of February 2022, BFAR-X recorded a total of 160 Fish Sanctuaries/Reserves/Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) of the four (4) coastal provinces in Northern Mindanao - Misamis Oriental (63), Camiguin, (35), Lanao del Norte (31) and Misamis Occidental (31).

The establishment of marine protected areas and fisheries reserves, refuge, and sanctuaries are one of the control mechanisms in fisheries management to minimize the impacts of fishing on the physical environment and on non-target, associated, and dependent species in Fisheries Management Areas (FMA). Recent scientific studies show that biomass of whole fish groups in highly and fully protected areas is, on average, six to seven times greater than in adjacent unprotected areas and three to four times greater than in lightly protected areas. On average, fully protected areas can increase the total biomass of marine life by more than four-hundred percent (400%). The increase in number and size of individual organisms, and the number of species and offspring per individual inside fully protected areas, are substantial.

Pursuant to Sec. 81 of RA 8550 as amended by RA 10654, the LGU, in consultation with the Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils (FARMCs), may establish fishery refuge and sanctuaries at least fifteen percent (15%) of the total coastal area of the municipality based on the best available data in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).



(MCasinillo/BFAR-X)

28/05/2022

| GOVERNMENT AND PARTNERS AIM TO IMPROVE LIVES OF FILIPINO FISHERFOLK THROUGH FINANCIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

A program that aims to raise the economic status of Filipino fisherfolk by capacitating them on financial management was launched on May 23, in Quezon City.

DA-BFAR, one of the proponents of the Financial Education Program along with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, BDO Foundation, and the USAID’s Fish Right Program through the PATH Foundation PH Inc. and Siliman University, is targeting to enroll 25,000 fisherfolk nationwide into the program this year through the BFAR’s training programs.

“Despite the country’s rich fisheries and aquatic resources, many people belonging to the fisherfolk sector are economically challenged. That is why we continue to implement programs and projects like this to alleviate poverty in the fisheries sector,” BFAR National Director Eduardo B. Gongona said. This, according to him, is still part and parcel of Agriculture Secretary William Dar’s twin objective of a masaganang ani at mataas na kita for Filipino fisherfolk.

A financial education module called Fish N’ LEarn game was developed and trial-tested by the participating partners between 2020 and 2021. The game, which is to be delivered in Filipino and other Philippine languages, centers on five key messages:



● Maging mapagkalinga sa karagatan

● Mag-impok ngayon para sa kinabukasan

● Magpalago ng kita sa pamamagitan ng pagnenegosyo

● Magseguro para protektado

● Maging matalino sa pag-utang

Towards the end of the game, participants are expected to learn achieving long-term objectives through basic personal financial management skills, simple tips about earning additional income other than fishing, and rights and responsibilities of financial consumers. The module also incorporates topics on saving, budgeting, debt management, basic financial products (basic deposit accounts, micro-insurance), micro-entrepreneurship, and scam prevention.

By educating fisherfolk on improving their household savings, establishing community saving groups, proper use of loans, and availing of financial services, DA-BFAR intends to help break the vicious cycle of poverty and natural resource depletion in the sector, Gongona added.

The program is set for a nationwide roll-out in the coming weeks. BFAR and its partners will cascade the modules to fisherfolk by embedding it into their technical and regular training programs and will establish a system to measure the effect on fisherfolk’s financial behavior and to continuously improve the training programs.

27/05/2022

𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭 (𝐋𝐆𝐔) 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐥𝐚, 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐙𝐨𝐧𝐞

In accordance with RA 8550 as amended by RA 10654 on the establishment of duly designated zones for fish aquaculture structures, baseline data is essential to institute science-based policies for sustainability and equitable economic fisheries growth. Thus, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Region X (BFAR–X) commends and supports the management initiative of the LGU.

Last May 24, 2022, the BFAR-X Environmental Survey Team (BEST) spearheaded an environmental assessment on the municipal waters of Lala, Lanao del Norte together with the personnel from the Provincial Fisheries Office (PFO) of Lanao del Norte, Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO), and the Deputized Fishery Warden (DFW) of the municipality in response to the LGU's request to identify suitable areas for mariculture zone. Data on biophysical parameters such as, bathymetric survey, bottom sediment and water quality sampling, and geotagging of existing fisheries structures were collected.

Initial results gathered were presented during the exit conference to the LGU last May 25, 2022 which were attended by Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Members, personnel from MPDO, MAO, and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) LDN. Likewise, the BFAR-X presented some various management fisheries strategies and best practices used throughout the country that the LGU may adapt to efficiently manage their marine resources.

With its vast resources, fisheries management could be challenging. But with participation of concerned stakeholders and good governance towards a sustainable development, balanced ecological well-being and human well-being can be achieved.

BFAR-X Environmental Survey Team (BEST):
1. Mark Alphonse A. Buniel - Senior Aquaculturist
2. Rey Eduardo H. Hojas - Fishing Regulations Officer II
3. John Roy N. Obsines - Aquacultural Technologist
4. Majen M. Casinillo - Fishing Regulations Officer I
5. June Gabriel P. Pagalan - Aquacultural Technologist
6. Aljun Magamano - Aquaculturist II
7. Kent Muksan - Aquacultural Technologist

(MCasinillo, JPagalan/BFAR-X)