BFAR-11 eyeing to increase fish production in Davao region
DAVAO CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region 11 is eyeing to increase fish production in the area in the midst of challenges continually posed by climate change and other factors that contributed to low productivity in the past years.
Regional Director Fatma Idris said BFAR is targeting around 65,597 metric tons of fish production this year.
The target is higher compared to the 43,657 metric tons of fish production recorded in the area during the third quarter of 2016.
To achieve the goal, Idris said they will be working closely with other government agencies and the local government units (LGUs) in the region.
BFAR-11 will also tap the support of other stakeholders in the fishing industry – to include the livelihood and commercial fishing operators.
At present, a total of 50,868 fisherfolk and 8,806 wooden fishing boats were already registered by BFAR in the region in their continuing registration under the Municipal Fisherfolk Registration Program or FishR.
FishR is a nationwide program that registers fisherfolk and their local fishing vessels.
Idris also told reporters that BFAR will provide additional fishing boats and other fishing equipment to fisherfolk in the area starting this year.
A total of 3,000 units of fiberglass boats are scheduled to be distributed to coastal towns in the region while another 50 units will be provided to every congressional district in the area until 2018.
Davao region has 24 coastal towns and 11 congressional districts.
The support of fishing equipment to fisherfolk is part of the long term program of BFAR and the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the leadership of Secretary Manny Piñol.
“We target to complete the distribution of these fiberglass fishing boats in two year’s time,†Idris said.
Last year, Piñol led the distribution of 300 fiberglass boats to fishermen in Davao City alone.
Idris also encouraged the LGUs in the region to avail of the new fishing vessels which are proven to be more effective in helping fisherfolk increase their production.
BFAR embarked on the program replacing wooden fishing boats to fiberglass boats to improve their volume of fish catch especially of the marginalized fishermen. (PNA)
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