BFAR rolls out first fiberglass fishing boat

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) launched yesterday the first 62-footer fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) tuna handline fishing boat aimed at capacitating small-scale fisherfolk by providing upgraded and appropriate vessels.

The newly unveiled boat is part of the 33-unit contract with Pacificfortia Marine Technologies Inc., a local Philippine-registered boat manufacturer.

Under the contract, Pacificfortia will provide 27 units of FRP 62-footer handline fishing boat costing P6.3 million each and six units of FRP 62-footer bagnet fishing boat costing P6.4 million each under BFAR’s Capacitating Municipal Fisherfolk program.

Coined as BFAR’s first-of-a-kind project of providing bigger and upgraded fishing boats to municipal fisherfolk, the project will pave the way for the improvement of socio-economic well-being of small-scale fishers, whose capacity and efficiency of applied fishing technologies are limited.

“This program is a product of an innovative mindset that is centered on modernization as a measure to promote opportunities for our fisherfolk in order for them to yield profit in municipal waters. Bigger boats would mean longer distances to be sailed and abundant fish catch,” BFAR OIC director Demosthenes Escoto said during the ceremony.

The provision of 62-footer FRP handline and bagnet fishing boats is aimed at capacitating small-scale fisherfolk at the municipal fishing waters towards an improved fish catch, as well as enabling them to significantly contribute to the production of tuna and small pelagics like sardines (tamban) to enhance fish supply and food security nationwide.

Apart from these, the program aims to advance fisherfolk cooperatives/associations capability in running the project as an enterprise to ensure sustainability and tangible benefits to beneficiaries.

“To our fisherfolk heroes who will receive these boats, the government encourages you to remain as pillars in the initiatives of DA-BFAR. Let us work together in order to achieve an abundant and sustainable fisheries sector,” Escoto said.

The BFAR program in Capacitating Municipal Fisherfolks is being promoted to improve cooperation, collaboration, and strengthened partnerships among sectors to support small fisherfolk cooperatives and help coastal communities grow and prosper.