Sustainable harvest takes focus during Fish Conservation Week

MANILA, Philippines - Every year in the month of October, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) celebrates Fish Conservation Week by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 176 and as mandated in the Fisheries Code of the Philippines (RA 8550 s. 1998) to intensify awareness on the need to conserve and protect fisheries and aquatic resources. 

This year, BFAR takes on yet another special milestone as it commemorates 50 years of observing Fish Conservation Week. This year’s theme centers on nurturing the present resources for a bountiful sustainable harvest in the future, “Pangisdaang pinagyaman ngayon; henerasyong sagana sa panghabang panahon.” 

BFAR national director  Asis G. Perez said  the celebration brings to the fore the hope in protecting the nation’s fisheries and aquatic resources.

BFAR, in its 50 years of observance, has been successful at achieving pro-active results in the development, management and conservation of the fisheries and aquatic resources of the country.

The National Fisheries Program (NFP) provides national direction and a  framework to develop and manage the country’s fisheries resources for food security, conservation and management, global competitiveness and support services. 

During the first semester, under the NFP, BFAR was able to accomplish different projects and activities on modernized and socially-equitable agriculture and fishery support services for increased productivity and income such as production support services, market development services, credit facilitation services, other infrastructure and/or post-harvest development services and extension support, education and training services. 

Appropriate comprehensive regulations and standards were also developed, implemented and monitored to ensure the sustainable use of fishery resources such as coastal resource management, fish health management, inspection of fish processing plants and monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS). 

 BFAR was also successful in its plans, policies and project formulation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation services to formulate national policies for the protection, sustainable development and management of fishery and aquatic resources through review of policy agenda, conduct consultation and regular monitoring and evaluation such as information support services and policy formulation, planning and advocacy services. 

BFAR takes pride in its initial success but it does not stop there. With unrelenting support from its stakeholders, the Bureau continues to implement its core programs and priority thrusts on resource protection, resource enhancement, production enhancement, post harvest and infrastructure and marketing support and continuous organizational development.