BFAR chief to focus on resource conservation

MANILA, Philippines - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Asis G. Perez intends to focus on resource conservation and protection, as well as enforcement of fishery laws and regulations during his stint at the agency.

According to Perez, “it is so sad that an archipelagic country like the Philippines, whose coastline is second largest in the world, has only a measly P4.9-million budget for its resource protection program.”

The BFAR is beefing up its resource protection capability through the creation of the Fisheries Resource Protection and Quick Response Unit that will be on duty 24/7 to address the issues of illegal fishing and other emergency situations like the fish kills.

Perez stressed that closer collaboration and linkage shall be established between the law enforcement agencies, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the local government units in order to curb illegal fishing which destroys the source of income of marginal fishing communities.

“We shall put an end to the finger-pointing syndrome whenever aquatic environment-related emergency situations occur. We shall be more pro-active and prepared by fostering cooperation and wide information campaign,” Perez vowed.

Perez’s five program guideposts are - increasing fish production through resource conservation, intensifying fishery resource protection and law enforcement, fast-tracking infrastructure development, investing on people, research and technology and facilitating fisheries industry development.

Perez said his administration would build upon the many good things that had been established by the BFAR considering its major contribution to the growth of the country’s agriculture sector.

BFAR, Perez added, looks forward to planting 100 million mangrove trees over the next three years. He said the agency intends to promote aquasilvi or mangrove-friendly fish farming system to fisherfolk communities.

Infrastructural and other support facilities would also be established such as multi-species hatcheries, nurseries to supply the necessary inputs like blue crabs, abalone, sea cucumber and sea urchins to aqua-silvi farmers and also to fish cage operators in mariculture parks.