ILOILO CITY (PIA) – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 6 conducted an Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign in Iloilo City to raise awareness among fish brokers, transporters, and traders about fishery laws and regulations.
The discussions focused on the detection of dynamited fish and the conservation of Blue Swimming Crab (Portunus pelagicus) under Joint Administrative Order No. 01, Series of 2014.
BFAR 6 knowledge expert Glenn D. Nonifara, Fishing Regulations Officer (FRO)1, discussed the importance of good governance in balancing ecological and human well-being, emphasizing that municipal waters fall under the jurisdiction of local government units.
FRO2 Julius P. Olvido, FPLEG-Guimaras team leader, elaborated on the provisions of JAO 01, Series of 2014, highlighting size limits for crabs allowed for trade and the penalties for dealing with undersized or berried crabs.
Meanwhile, FRO1 Byron C. Batay explained how to detect dynamited fish through internal and external signs and the legal penalties under Section 126 of the Amended Fisheries Code of the Philippines for handling fish caught using explosives.
Participants raised concerns about transporting prohibited fish species during the closed season in Palawan and the trade of undersized and berried crabs within the PFDA Compound. These discussions reinforced the importance of adhering to regulations to protect marine resources and support sustainable fisheries.
The campaign was part of PFDA’s food safety initiatives and stemmed from agreements made during the 1st Quarter Regional Inter-Agency Task Force Against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (RIATF-IUUF) meeting held in April this year.
The activity was made possible through BFAR’s Fisheries Protection and Law Enforcement Group (FPLEG), partnered with the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) 6. (AAL/AGP/PIA 6 with reports from BFAR 6)
