BFAR eyes 100% fish sufficiency by 2028

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Wednesday said it is targeting to attain a 100% fish sufficiency for the Philippines by the end of the Marcos administration in 2028.

In a news release, BFAR said the Philippines currently has a fish sufficiency level of 92.5%, excluding imports and exports, in 2022.

The 100% sufficiency level target come 2028 was included in BFAR’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2028.

The agency’s plan is a comprehensive roadmap detailing the bureau’s goals for the development, improvement, management, and conservation of the Philippines’ fishery and aquatic resources within the next five years.

To hit its target, BFAR said it will enhance production in the fisheries sector through increased productivity and reduced post-harvest losses of fish and fishery products.

Among the measures identified in BFAR’s Strategic Plan were the distribution of additional interventions such as new fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) boats, fishing gears, and paraphernalia; establishment of mariculture parks; reassessment and maintenance of existing mariculture parks; and development and recommendation of supplemental guidelines for the operation and management of legislated hatcheries.

Also included in the plan were the provision and modernization of fisheries post-harvest and cold chain technologies and facilities; establishment of common shared service facilities (CSSFs) for fish and fishery product; crafting of commodity-specific marketing plans, expanding participation in market linkaging and businesses, establishment and facilitation of direct linkage between fisherfolk borrowers and financing institutions, and maximizing utilization of government assets on logistics as well as partnership with private sector in aid of marketing activities.

BFAR said it would strengthen its coordination and collaboration with the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute for updated and appropriate fishing technologies and provide assistance in the formation of the fisherfolk into associations or cooperatives.

The bureau added it would also focus on the full implementation of the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project and the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Project.

“All these measures align with the enduring vision of the Marcos administration of building a self-sufficient nation. Food fish sufficiency is more than just sustenance on our tables; it embodies a nation’s inherent resilience in the face of challenges and serves as a bedrock for prosperity and the overall well-being of our people,” said BFAR National Director Demosthenes Escoto. 

BFAR said its Strategic Plan also aims to reduce poverty incidence among the fisherfolk by 5% in the next five years, bringing it down to 26% come 2028 from the 30.6% as of 2021.—Ted Cordero/AOL, GMA Integrated News