Press Release
January 2014

Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Regional Office No. 5
Email: region5@bfar.da.gov.ph
Website: www.bfar.da.gov.ph
Telefax (054) 361-2326

Joint Mobile Registration and Licensing of Commercial Fishing Vessels in Bicol completed

BFAR 5 Regional Director Dennis V. Del Socorro signs the  CVFGL during the last day of the 2nd cluster of the Joint Mobile Licensing and Registration held on November 19, 2013  at Tabaco, Albay.

The implementation of the Joint Mobile Registration and Licensing of Commercial Fishing Vessels in Bicol successfully registered and licensed a total of 135 commercial fishing vessels, with 14 licensed in the first cluster, 55 in the second cluster and 66 in the final cluster. The regionwide activity was      conducted from October to December 2013 and was divided into three clusters: Camarines Norte and northern parts of Camarines Sur; Partido and Rinconada district of Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes and Sorsogon; and Masbate province respectively.

Commercial fishing vessels in Bicol were registered and licensed by the Bureau of Fisheries and   Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 5 wherein all applied for new fishing gear license. 

The project is a four-day event with the first three days allotted for actual inspection of the vessels and the Safety on Life at Sea (SOLAS) Training to boat personnel who are given lectures by a MARINA representative on Fire Fighting and Prevention Technique, Elementary First Aid and Personal Survival Technique. The last day is the processing of the papers for the issuance of licenses and permits.

BFAR Director Dennis V. Del Socorro cited that the Joint Mobile Registration and Licensing of Commercial Fishing Vessels (JMRLCFV) is one way of addressing some issues on the declining number of fish catch due to increased number of fishing fleet and unregulated fishing in Bicol region. Moreover, the data will be used in the creation of an official database of the number of commercial fishing vessels.

BFAR 5 Regional Director Dennis V. Del Socorro signs the  CVFGL during the last day of the 2nd cluster of the Joint Mobile Licensing and Registration held on November 19, 2013  at Tabaco, Albay.

Four  government agencies implemented the said activity with  specific functions: BFAR was in charge of  inspecting the  vessel’s gear and issuance of Commercial Fishing Vessel Gear License (CVFGL) and registration; National Telecommunications  Commission (NTC) ensured that the vessels is equipped with radio communication  equipment and issuance of Ship Station License; Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) conducted add measurement to determine whether it is a municipal or commercial fishing vessels, ensured that the boat is equipped with lifesaving tools like  life vest, medicine kits life rings, axe and fire extinguisher, and they are also in-charge of the issuance of Certificate of Ownership and Certificate of Philippine Registry; while Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) coordinated with and
assisted other agencies in the implementation of the JMRLCFV.

The Project is also in compliance with the recommendation of the European Union (EU) final report on the registration and licensing of all fishing vessels in the Philippines. (ajoven)

 

Top Photo: Fisherfolk in Albay trains on Elementary First Aid during the SOLAS training of the Joint Mobile Registration and Licensing of Commercial Fishing Vessels that was held last November 16-19,2013 at Bicol University Tabaco Campus

Bottom Photos: from left to right;a BFAR5 Licensing Section staff (yellow shirt) measures the mesh size, a MARINA Engineer determines the Gross Tonnage, and an NTC inspector checks the radio equipment, in one of the vessels during their actual inspection in Tabaco City Port, Brgy.San Roque, Tabaco City, Albay.

Prepared by:                                        Noted:                                                     

        Signed                                            Signed
ANDREW L. JOVEN                   SARAH FLORA B. BALARES
       RFI Staff                                         OIC, RFIS

Approved:

             Signed
DENNIS V. DEL SOCORRO
       Regional Director