BFAR XI inaugurated the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Center-Port and Coastal Monitoring System Type 1 at Davao Fish Port Complex, Barangay Daliao, Toril, Davao City on July 5.

The system signifies the advancement in the government’s capability to monitor, control, and surveil its territorial waters, specifically targeting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.

BFAR XI Regional Director Raul Millana said that BFAR can now efficiently monitor and communicate with Philippine-flagged commercial fishing vessels in real-time.

“This is a great tool to ensure that commercial fishing vessels are compliant with various conservation and management measures implemented in our territorial waters,” Millana said.

He also added that this integrated monitoring system can increase fisheries productivity and contribute to the nation’s food security.

BFAR Integrated Marine Environment Monitoring System Project National Secretariat Madeliene Manapat and Project Manager of SRT Marine Solution, Ltd. Dean Jones presented the rationale and technology of the system.

The event was attended by fisheries stakeholders and officials from various law enforcement agencies, including the PNP Maritime Group-Regional Maritime Unit XI, the Philippine Coast Guard of South Eastern Mindanao, as well as the City Government of Davao-City Agriculturist Office, Maritime Industry Authority XI, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority-Davao, and the National Telecommunications Commission XI, who expressed their support and commitment.