Campaign: Promote Responsible Fishing
Ostensible commercial fishing in municipal waters pervades despite COVID19 pandemic; Full implementation of vessel monitoring pushed
Apparent commercial fishing in municipal waters pervades despite the COVID19 pandemic with a mere 4.7 percent reduction in the number of what appeared to be commercial fishing vessels inside the municipal waters, from 44,952 in 2019 to 42,934 in 2020. Palawan topped the list of provinces with 6,964 of the 44,952 in 2019 and with 6,202 detected out of the total of 42,934 in 2020. Masbate … Read more
Management board adopts vessel monitoring in Tañon Strait
The Tañon Strait Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) executive committee approved the resolution to require the installation of vessel monitoring for all commercial fishing vessels within the protected seascape. “We laud the move to require vessel monitoring for all commercial fishing vessels along Tañon Strait. It is an effective tool to deter and stop illegal … Read more
Stronger law enforcement key to boost fish production — BFAR
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) National Director Eduardo Gongona stressed the need for stronger enforcement measures to achieve sustainable fisheries and seafood self-sufficiency in the Philippines. “We have to maintain and protect our traditional fishing grounds. If we properly enforce our fisheries law, then we will have enough fish. We need action, and … Read more
Oceana lauds Duterte’s vow to fight illegal fishing
In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Rodrigo Duterte emphasized the need to enforce fisheries laws, particularly in combatting illegal fishing. “We welcome President Duterte’s pronouncement on fisheries law enforcement as a priority. For a country that is dependent on the seas for its sustenance and livelihood, we certainly need to be … Read more
Fisheries Summit renews pledge to combat illegal fishing
Key fisheries stakeholders met to discuss the amended Fisheries Code or Republic Act 10654 and the recently signed implementing rules and regulations (IRR), which sets stiffer penalties and tightens rules against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. More than 100 delegates from the academe, science community, local government units, fisherfolk, and non-government organizations attended the … Read more
CEO Note: Amended Fisheries Code Brings Philippines Closer to Restoring Ocean Abundance
The Philippines recently took a much-needed step towards repairing its severely overextended fisheries: Philippine President Benigno Simeon Aquino III allowed amendments to the 1998 Philippine Fisheries Code to lapse into law — much needed reforms that will undermine illegal fishing activity and help rebuild fisheries. It is an important precedent: The country is the fourteenth … Read more
Amended Fisheries Code Sets Higher Penalties, Tightens Rules on Commercial Fishing
Republic Act 10654, which amends the Philippine Fisheries Code, lapsed into law on February 27, 2015. It seeks to “prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated” or IUU fishing in the country. On Monday, April 13, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) convened the 41-member technical working group (TWG) that will draft … Read more
CEO Note: Oceana in the Philippines Gathers Tañon Strait Stakeholders for First-Ever Protected Area Management Board Meeting
Last year, I announced that Bloomberg Philanthropies Vibrant Ocean Initiative paved the way for Oceana to rebuild ocean abundance in the Philippines, Brazil and Chile. Now, I am pleased to report that Oceana is making progress in the Philippines on restoring the nation’s fisheries and supporting Oceana’s initiative to save the oceans and feed the … Read more