Transparency pushed at the launch of the first Fisheries Management Area website; BFAR 8 officials and fisherfolk leader among the recipients of the Ocean Heroes Award
Press Release Date: June 22, 2022
The first ever Fisheries Management Area website was launched on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, roughly three years since the country’s fisheries were delineated by the Fisheries Administrative Order 263 series of 2019 for better management of the country’s marine resources.
“We are proud of our partner, BFAR 8, for painstakingly working on this important milestone with Oceana. This website is a significant step in ensuring transparency as our Fisheries Management Area System evolves. Through this platform, we can ensure that information and updates on the activities and plans for Fisheries Management Area 8 reach our key stakeholders and the general public,” said Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Oceana Vice President.
A collaboration between international advocacy organization Oceana and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Region 8 (BFAR 8) and Whitewall Design Studio, the Fisheries Management Area 8 website is envisioned to be a venue to provide information, updates and sharing of reports and data among FMAs and stakeholders and uphold transparency in the implementation of the Fisheries Management Area System. It will also serve as a knowledge center in the journey to make our ocean healthier and whose ecosystem services are appreciated and nurtured by all decision-makers.
Oceana and BFAR 8 began discussions on the website in 2021 with Whitewall Design Studio, taking notes from their thorough regular consultations with fisherfolk groups, the academe, and science partners.
The website aims to:
- Be a repository of studies and information materials of the Management Body, Scientific Advisory Group, and the other working groups of the FMA.
- Highlight the importance of science-based, participatory, and transparent fisheries management in Area 8.
- Provide transparency to the stakeholders and the general public on the progress of fisheries and enforcement operations.
- Provide transparency to the stakeholders and the general public on the progress of operations of the FMA system and disseminate information on programs, activities and projects of Area 8.
- Promote data sharing among key stakeholders.
- Encourage engagements among the fisherfolk groups, lead fisheries bureau, local government units, civil society organizations, academe, and other key stakeholders in Area 8, especially amidst the pandemic when most of the meetings are conducted online.
- Provide networks and sharing of good practices to foster participatory governance even among non-fisheries sectors.
- Broadcast the efforts of Fisheries Management Area 8 in the full implementation of environment and fisheries laws, and effective establishment of the Fisheries Management Areas system in the country.
“Sa pamamagitan ng website na ito, mas mapapabilis ang pagpapaabot sa lahat ng stakeholders ng impormasyon tungkol sa mga hakbang at plano ng Fisheries Management Area 8. Sana ay maging daan ito upang mas lumakas ang pagtutulungan natin hindi lamang para manumbalik ang kasaganahan sa ating mga pangisdaan ngunit lalo na para tunay na maging kalahok kaming mga artisanong mangingisda sa mga isinusulong na plano sa Area 8,” urged Eastern Visayas Fisherfolk Director Martha Cadano.
Oceana also presented the 2022 Ocean Heroes Award to Regional Director of BFAR 8 and Chairperson of Fisheries Management Area 8 Dr. Juan D. Albaladejo who is the first regional director who ensured the convening of the stakeholders to represent the various sectors in the first Management Board to be set up under the FMA system, Fisheries Management Area 8 Focal Person Ronnie P. Esmeña, Training Specialist Christine N. Gresola, and Edmar Kristopher P. Petallaña, the Officer-in-charge of the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Section of BFAR 8.
Posthumous recognition was also conferred to Mr. Dario Cabal of Abuyog, Leyte who was a municipal fisherfolk representative to the Management Body of Area 8 and strongly advocated for the full implementation of the important Fisheries Laws including the National Sardines Management Plan, in accordance with the national policy issued by the Department of Agriculture.
“We present the 2022 Ocean Heroes Award to our key partners from BFAR 8 for their pioneering leadership and unwavering support to the efforts to safeguard our fisheries as part of Fisheries Management Area 8. We are also giving this posthumous Ocean Heroes Award to Mano Dario, our brave fisherfolk leader who championed the rights of artisanal fisherfolk in Area 8 and mobilized fisherfolk to be strong voices in pushing for the implementation of the National Sardines Management Plan,” said Ramos.
“None other than the Agriculture Secretary William Dar urged for the implementation of the National Sardines Management Plan in all Fisheries Management Areas. This Plan will help us in the efforts to revive the already overfished sardine stock of the country. Let us continue to work on strengthening the Fisheries Management Area System by implementing this Plan once and for all,” Ramos urged.
Oceana is an international advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans. Since 2014, Oceana has been working closely with national and local government agencies, civil society, fisherfolk and other stakeholders to restore the abundance of Philippine fisheries and marine resources. [END]
For More Information:
Joyce Sierra, Communications Manager, Oceana
Mobile: 09178214430 E-mail: jsierra@oceana.org
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