The Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) marked the start of the 61st Fish Conservation Week at its headquarters in Quezon City on Monday, September 16, 2024, underscoring the agency’s commitment to fostering a united stakeholders for sustainable fisheries development under the administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) vision.
In a speech delivered by DA Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther E. Bayate at the opening ceremonies, Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. echoed the call of the government to foster collaboration among all sectors to ensure the sustainable protection of the country’s fisheries resources.
“[Ang] temang ito ay lubos na naaangkop dahil binibigyang-diin nito ang kahalagahan ng pagtutulungan sa pagtupad ng ating tungkulin bilang mga Pilipino – ang pangangalaga at wastong pangangasiwa ng ating yamang-tubig at pangisdaan, kung saan nakasalalay ang isang industriya na patuloy na nagsisilbing haligi ng ating pambansang ekonomiya,” Usec. Bayate said in the speech. [The theme highlights the significance of working together towards protection and sustainable management of our fisheries and aquatic resources which supports the industry and the economy.]
“Ang Linggo ng Pangisdaan ay hindi lamang isang selebrasyon, bagkus, ito ay isang mahalagang panawagan para sa bawat Pilipino na makiisa sa ating layunin na isang maunlad at likas-kayang pangisdaan,” she added, “Susi sa pagsasakatuparan ng lahat ng ito ang mahigpit na balikatan
hindi lamang ng pamahalaan at ng ating mga mangingisda, kundi maging ng iba pang miyembro ng ating komunidad. Kaya naman hinihikayat ko ang lahat na suportahan ang mga programa at makiisa sa adhikain ng pamahalaan,” she stressed. [The Fish Conservation Week is not just a celebration but more importantly, a campaign for every Filipino to unite under the cause of a prosperous and sustainable fisheries. The key to the attainment (of our goals) is the cooperation between and among sectoral partners. We encourage everyone to support the programs of the government]
With the theme “Sama-sama Tungo sa Maunlad at Likas-kayang Pangisdaan sa Bagong Pilipinas,” the week-long celebration features various activities aimed at promoting responsible and sustainable fisheries conservation and management.
As a sign of their commitment to protecting and conserving the Philippines’ fisheries and aquatic resources, select fisheries stakeholders from various sub-sectors recited the Panunumpa sa Pangangalaga ng Pangisdaan at Yamang-Tubig during the opening program. The Bureau also furthered its promotion of fish/fishery products, as well as value added fish products through the installation of a Seafood Village Trade Fair and the conduct of a techno- demo and fishery value added product making contest.
The DA-BFAR, through the Fisheries Inspection and Quarantine Division (FIQD), also introduced the first digital platform in its frontline services–the Export Commodity Clearance Application System (ECCAS). This user-friendly platform is aimed at streamlining the obtaining of necessary clearances for exporting commodities, and ensures efficient and transparent handling of ECC applications.
Through this system, clients can now easily submit applications, monitor their progress, and receive approvals through a centralized digital environment, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of export operations.
Simultaneously, students from select high schools in Quezon City presented their artistic interpretation of conservation, management, and protection of fishery resources through the Fish HabiArt: Fish Habitat On-the-Spot Art Contest.
Moreover, the agency’s communications arm led various online contests such as FISHtography, a photography contest that captures ways in which Filipinos protect and conserve the country’s fisheries and aquatic resources and PalaFISHipan , an online quiz that features different terminologies on fish conservation.
In addition, the BFAR Central Office relaunched its official Facebook page as “BFAR Philippines” in order to create a standardized and improved identity for the agency. Its regional counterparts likewise relaunched their official page names.
Various activities will also be conducted through the week-long celebration to engage the public in discussions about fisheries conservation and responsible aquatic resource management. This includes a symposium highlighting the projects, programs, and initiatives of the Bureau in addressing the important issues and for the improvement and development of the fisheries sector.
Coinciding the Fish Conservation Week is DA-BFAR’s hosting of the 193rd Maritime Forum on September 17. In partnership with the Maritime League, the Bureau will tackle its Capacitating Municipal Fisherfolk Program and the FishCoRe Project Sub-Component 1.1. The forum will bring together representatives from the Maritime League, resource persons, and BFAR personnel to address industry challenges and promote sustainable fishing practices.
The 61st Fish Conservation Week falls under the annual commemoration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo), reinforcing the agency’s commitment to participate in the whole of-government approach to safeguard and maintain marine resources for future generations.
