DYCA - Explore/Assess/Protect

The M/V DA-BFAR is a 1,186 gross ton marine fisheries management, training and research vessel operated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, an agency under the Department of Agriculture of the Republic of the Philippines. She was acquired through the Mixed Credit Financing Scheme from the Spanish Government in a build contract between the Department of Agriculture (DA) Bureau of Fish

eries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the shipbuilder Astilleros Gondan, S.A from Spain in March 30, 1996. Construction of the vessel started in 1998 at Figueras, Castropol, Asturias, Spain and was completed in July 1999. M/V DA-BFAR was initially turned -over and accepted by the Philippine Delegation headed by Usec Cesar M. Dickson and other BFAR-National Marine Fisheries Development Center Technical Staff on August 2, 1999 at Ribadeo, Galicia, Spain. Her maiden voyage was on August 11, 1999 from Spain, with twelve (12) Spanish, one (1) Romanian and fourteen (14) Filipino BFAR-NMFDC Officers and Crew onboard, and arrived in Manila on September 30, 1999 for final acceptance. It was then inaugurated and blessed last January 23, 2000 at Subic Bay, Free Port Zone with the presence of DA Secretary Edgardo J. Angara, BFAR Director Atty. Malcolm I. Sarmiento, Jr., Seniores Alvaro Platero Diaz, President Astilleros Gondan, S.A. and Jose Maria Sainz Aguirre, DEFEX Regional Manager for Asia. M/V DA-BFAR as a sea platform on fisheries management and serves as laboratory facility on diverse concerns in fisheries management, improved fishing technologies and other developments activities of DA-BFAR. She is fully equipped with state of the art scientific and technical equipment such as fishing, communications, navigational, hydro-acoustics, oceanography, post harvest and hydraulic machineries for researches especially within the 200-nautical mile Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone including its adjacent high seas. In consonance with the BFAR mandates under Fisheries Code of 1998 (RA 8550), the program thrust of MV DA-BFAR revolves around her contribution to the rational fishery resources management including, food security, sustainable fishing technology, human resources development and capacity building in marine fisheries. For this purpose, projects and activities are implemented onboard include assessment surveys of tuna, sardines, deep sea (continental slopes & seamounts) and demersal fisheries. The vessel also provides onboard training component of various training programs including Fisheries Observer, Responsible Fishing Technology & Fishing Boat Engineering, OJT-Fisheries Students, Deck Officer/Marine Engineer Apprenticeship and other specialized trainings. MV DA-BFAR also implements livelihood projects to the various regions and remotest communities in the country. She also provides platform for law enforcement particularly on poaching vessels while on surveys in the EEZ.