Oceana initiated a virtual classroom for fisherfolk recently to prepare the food frontliners for their important role in fisheries governance and in the protection of the Philippines’ marine environment through the Fisheries Management Areas (FMA) mechanism, a news release said.
The Philippine territorial waters have been subdivided into 12 FMAs based on approximate stock boundaries, range, distribution, and structure of its resources.
The FMAs were established following the issuance of the Fisheries Administrative Order 263 by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in 2019.
Under the FMA system, a management body issues science-based policies for sustainable management of fisheries, with representatives from the BFAR, national government agencies, local governments, and sectoral representatives, including fisherfolk, commercial fishing industry, civil society groups and academic institutions.
“Oceana is excited to be pioneering the Classroom for Fisherfolk learning series to empower our fisherfolk by helping them gain a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities under our Constitution and fisheries laws, and the significance of their active participation in the sustainable management of our marine resources,” said Oceana Vice President Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos.
“The classroom learning series benefits not just our fisherfolk but even those in the government,” Ramos added.
There is so much that could be learned from the participants who spend more time out at sea than anyone else, she said.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for an exchange of insights into pressing challenges on overfishing and illegal, unregulated and unreported [IUU] fishing, and discussions on how we can address these issues together,” she pointed out.
One of the participants, Roberto “Ka Dodoy” Ballon, who heads the Coalition of Municipal Fisherfolk’s Association in Zamboanga Sibugay, recommends more fisherfolk leaders including the women and the youth in the succeeding classes.
“Majority of fisherfolk still do not understand what the FMA system is. I hope that in the next sessions we can expand the discussions to include how this can benefit our environment, our livelihood, and the growth of the fisheries sector. This is for the next generation, so that they may understand why there are FMAs,” Ballon said in the session.
Incidentally, it was recently announced that Ballon is among this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Awardees for leading the transformation of the coastal area in his hometown to preserve the fishermen’s livelihood and the ecosystem.
The participants of the virtual classroom were given an overview of the law and the science behind the FMAs, the status and challenges in its implementation, and the ways in which the fisherfolk can evaluate the performance of the FMA using the scorecard that Oceana and nongovernment organizations developed.
Ramos emphasized the need for the fisherfolk classroom to be institutionalized to ensure participatory governance in the FMAs.
“From the sessions we have held so far, our fisherfolk expressed deep concern about the state of the fisheries covered by the respective FMAs. They are keen to learn more in helping protect our country’s fishing grounds from abuse,” Ramos said.
She expressed hope that the Department of Agriculture (DA), the BFAR, and coastal local governments would consider institutionalizing this learning activity for our fisherfolk for a genuine inclusive governance.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar, in a video message, called to double the effort in uplifting the fisheries sector, emphasizing support of fisherfolk in ensuring sustainable practices in fisheries.
“We all must take more proactive actions, strengthen our collaborations, and channel more resources in finding science-based solutions to sustainably increase fish stock as well as address long-standing issues that stifle the growth of our sardine industry. I believe issues such as IUU fishing, and climate change hazards are surmountable if we conquer them together. We must not tire in educating fishers of these sustainable conservation measures and ensure industry-wide compliance with closed fishing seasons and other sustainable practices,” Dar said.
Oceana launched the virtual Classroom for Fisherfolk Learning series in June that was attended by about 15 fisherfolks from different parts of the country. It was followed by three more learning sessions in Fisheries Management Areas 7, 8 and 12 with more than 60 fisherfolks in attendance.
Oceana is an international advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans. Since 2014, it has been working closely with national and local government agencies, civil society, fisherfolk and other stakeholders to restore abundance of Philippine fisheries and marine resources.