Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 3) — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources says the National Sardine Management Plan, which targets to address challenges and develop the local sardines industry, is ready for implementation.
The bureau said on Wednesday that Agriculture Secretary William Dar approved the five-year plan on May 15. Implementation will start this month, BFAR said.
“Decreasing catch rates, increasing juvenile catch, decreasing productivity, post-harvest losses, illegal fishing, and poverty among sardine fisherfolk are just a few of the challenges that hound the industry. Through the National Sardine Management Plan, however, these will be responded to appropriately and effectively,” BFAR said.
The National Sardine Management Plan has three main goals, which include improvement of Science-based indicators for sustainable fish stocks including reduction of juvenile fishes caught by 10 percent in five years.
It also targets to improve distribution of benefits to sardine fisherfolk communities through post-harvest facilities which will reduce post-harvest losses, as well as reduction of poverty incidence in these communities through alternative livelihood programs and social enterprise.
The program also aims to further develop science-based management of sardine fisheries through harvest control rules, data platform for production data, and stronger implementation of fisheries laws.
The plan also includes closed fishing season in some major fishing grounds across the country. There are also measures to be implemented in Fisheries Management Areas that cover municipal and commercial waters.
Sardines is one the most commercially important fish species in the country and is the staple source of protein for many Filipinos. Government data showed that over the last 15 years, sardines accounted for 15 percent of marine fishery, with average yearly production of 333,743 metric tons.
