As the lead region, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region XI hosted the meeting with the participants, stakeholders and partner agencies from other FMA 2 region-members, namely, Region VIII and Region XIII attending through virtual platform. The meeting was presided by Mr. Allan Andrada, the duly appointed Representative of FMA 2 Co-Chairperson, Honorable Michelle Marie Denise N. Rabat, City Mayor of Mati City, Davao Oriental.

The first agendum of the meeting was the review of the National Stock Assessment Program Data under FMA 2 presented by Mr. Jose A. Villanueva, NSAP Project Leader Region XI. It was then followed by the presentation and approval of two resolutions for the establishment of the Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) and Technical Working Group (TWG) for the FMA 2 by Atty. Joanna Karla P. Guilonsod, RN, OIC Head of BFAR XI-Legal Unit. For the third agenda, Mr. William Patrick McGrath of NAVCAST Asia introduced the device named “ALON”, an equipment that can be used in securing navigation safety of sea vessels.

For the other matters, Mr. Rocky Sumagaysay, FMA Focal Person BFAR XI, emphasized the issuance of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2020 – 121, directing all Local Government Units (LGUs) to participate and support the DA-BFAR Roll-Out, Pursuant to DA FAO No. 263, Series of 2020, on the establishment of Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs).

On the other hand, Ms. Fatma Idris raised the pressing concern relating to overfishing within the FMA 2. The said concern was reinforced by Mr. Jose Villanueva, wherein he suggested the implementation of necessary regulatory measures to answer the issue on overfishing. A subsequent FMA 2 Management Body Meeting will be conducted during the last week of November 2020.

A Fisheries Management Area (FMA) refers to delineated bodies of water in the Philippines based on the approximation of fish stocks and their boundary, range and distribution and other considerations for the purpose of fisheries management or governance that is science-based, participatory and transparent, applying the ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM). The EAFM approach emphasizes the balance of ecological well-being with human well-being founded on good governance for future generations.

Courtesy:

Atty. J. Guilonsod/Legal

R. Estacio/Legal

S. Porras/FMRED