By Leilanie Adriano/PNA
LAOAG CITY — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), through Ilocos Norte’s Provincial Fisheries Division, on Friday urged the province’s coastal cities and municipalities to join the search for the “Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan” (MMK) this year.
Roy Gonzales, chief of the Ilocos Norte Fisheries Division, said fishing communities can take advantage of the multi-million-peso worth of projects that await the winners.
Gonzales said the MMK, a relatively new category initiated by BFAR, aims to recognize the exceptional efforts and practices of coastal cities and towns in conserving and protecting their marine environment, and in sustainable fisheries development.
Recognizing the fishing industry’s great potentials, he said local government officials and residents should value their coastal areas and marine ecosystems.
He said the criteria for the competition include no presence of illegal fishing, observance of closed fishing season, establishment of marine protected areas, clean coastal waters without domestic and industrial wastes, and effective mangrove protection and rehabilitation program.
“In the form of livelihood projects, first place winner will receive PHP30 million, second place is PHP18 million, and third place will be awarded PHP10 million,” Gonzales said.
With the strengthened implementation of fishery laws based on the coastal resources management plan, a growing anti-plastic advocacy, and continuous planting of mangroves by various public and private stakeholders, Ilocos Norte’s output of fish caught in the wild has increased, according to the Provincial Fisheries Office.
