Local government officials in central Philippines want the Visayan Sea to be designated as a fisheries management area (FMA) so it could be protected from illegal fishing and destructive fishing practices.
Governors and mayors belonging to “Guardians of the Visayan Sea” have recently committed to protect and restore one of the richest fishing grounds in the Philippines.
Oceana Philippines, an ocean conservation advocacy non-governmental organization, said it is “excited” about crafting a management framework for the Visayan Sea.
The group noted that the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar) has also committed to declare it as the country’s very first FMA under Republic Act 10654, or the amended Fisheries Code.
Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines, one of the conveners of the Guardians of the Visayan Sea, said the coming together of various stakeholders is “timely” as it can boost the protection and conservation of its rich biodiversity.
“The Visayan Sea is one of the country’s rich fishing grounds. Most of our captured fish, especially sardines, come from the Visayan Sea,” Ramos told the BusinessMirror in a telephone interview.
The Visayan Sea also hosts a variety of high-value species, such as tuna, herring, mackerel, blue swimming crab and sardines.
Scientists reported a steady decline in seafood supply in the Visayan Sea since the 1980s, due mostly to the prevalence of blast fishing, plus the encroachment of trawls, purse seines and ring nets in municipal waters.
Through the initiative, a more science-based approach to finding a solution to the problem is possible, according to Ramos.
She said stakeholders who wish to stop destructive and illegal fishing activities can take a cue from Task Force Lawod organized by the Province of Negros Occidental in 2014. Through the task force, illegal fishing activities in Negros Occidental declined by as much as 90 percent.
“We already have a best practice as far as law enforcing is concerned. This can help prevent illegal fishing and strengthen our law enforcement in the Visayan Sea,” Ramos said.
Ramos also said Bfar Director Eduardo Gongona signed the covenant of commitment and cooperation for the protection and conservation of the Visayan Sea, with Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. and Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, who was represented by Provincial Environment and Management Office Head Baltazar Tribunalo Jr.
“Our goal is to be food sufficient and, later on, to be a food-exporting country. We have to protect and develop our marine resources, especially for food security, to feed millions of people,” Gongona said during the governor’s meeting in Sicogon Island in Carles, Iloilo, on July 22.
“This is a challenge, but we can do it. If we do our job together, with strong partnership with local government units, we can achieve more,” he added.
The BFAR, the local government units and stakeholders will craft a fisheries management framework plan.
As an FMA, the Visayan Sea will have a management framework for enforcement activities, establish reference points for major fish species and convene a science research group for the monitoring of fish stocks.
The Bfar also committed to provide a dedicated monitoring control and surveillance (MCS) vessel for the Visayan Sea to strengthen seaborne patrolling and the enforcement of fisheries laws.