By Sarwell Meniano/PNA
TACLOBAN CITY — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is eyeing a more sustainable strategy to manage fishery resources through a science-based and participatory governance framework.
The fisheries bureau will start strengthening linkages with provincial governors, local government officials, academic institutions, fisherfolk groups, commercial fishing industry, and non-government organizations to help manage the newly-established fishery management areas (FMAs).
Last Jan. 28, BFAR issued Administrative Order 263 establishing 12 FMAs and seeks to provide a science-based and participatory governance framework for the management of these FMAs.
“We will form linkages with provincial governors and other stakeholders. The approach is comprehensive and specific to come up with a collegial decision to manage fishery resources,” said Juan Albaladejo, BFAR Eastern Visayas Regional Director.
Albaladejo is the lead person for FMA 8 (Eastern Visayas) covering the western coastline of Calicoan Island, north-western coastline of Suluan Island, Siargao Island coastline, Lanuza Bay, Panaon Island coastline, and Samar Island coastline.
The seawater and lakes under the country’s territory have been grouped into 12 management areas. BFAR defines FMA as a bay, gulf, lake or any other fishery area which may be delineated for fishery resource management purposes.
FMAs are delineated based on approximate stock boundaries, range, distribution, and structure.
The management board for each FMA is required to develop policies and programs for the area based on an ecosystems approach to fisheries management, as well as local government ordinances that will provide the governance framework for sustainable management of the FMA.
“One strategy is to identify top five priority species, decide on a closed season, agree on FMA management measures, and establish a reference point. The body will create harvest control rules such as the number of fishing boats,” Albaladejo said.
Reference points are benchmarks from which limits to harvesting of fish stocks are set to ensure that their production is kept at sustainable levels.
In the preparatory stage, BFAR has initiated discussions of guidelines, list down action plans, meet with local government officials, and conduct information drive.
