DA plans 10-year fisheries roadmap

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to craft a 10-year masterplan for the local fisheries sector to improve its contribution to the overall agriculture industry.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol said the DA will hold a consultative forum with industry stakeholders next month to formulate the 10-year Philippine Fisheries and Aquamarine Roadmap.

The roadmap aims to identify the problems and challenges in the fisheries industry and if  government interventions would be needed.

“Among the biggest problems confronting the fisheries and aqua industries are the depleted freshwater fish sources because of overfishing and destructive fishing practices,” Pinol said.

Data showed the Philippines is losing about P3 trillion annually due to illegal fishing, including poaching by foreign and more modern fishing fleets.

“The fisheries have not been given enough support by the government and all these years hatcheries have just focused on the production of bangus and tilapia fingerlings,” Pinol said.

The roadmap targets to institutionalize the Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan program of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, which awards the cleanest coastal communities, as well as the national inland fisheries enhancement program that will seed major lakes and rivers.

The agency will identify rich fishing grounds nationwide and establish post-harvest facilities to avoid losses which account for about 40 percent in every catch.