US-funded project aims to boost fish biomass by 2023

THE United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Fish Right Program aims to achieve at least 10 percent increase in biomass and reduce threats to marine biodiversity in 2023.

This US$25-million (Php1.3-billion) project implemented in the Visayan Sea, Calamianes Island Group and South Negros is was meant to address biodiversity threats, improve marine ecosystem governance, and promote the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources.

The USAID partnership with the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is expected to benefit 2 million people who depend on these resources for food and income.

The program was launched at Fort San Pedro Drive, Iloilo City on Nov 20, 2018.

“These rich and irreplaceable resources are threatened by overfishing, illegal and unregulated fishing… we can do something about it. With Fish Right, we believe that we can do something to address these issues,” said US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission John Law.

Department of Agriculture Undersecretary and BFAR Director Eduardo B. Gongona reiterated the Philippine government’s commitment to marine protection and sustainable fisheries.

“BFAR is pleased to continue its partnership with USAID through the Fish Right Program. We are at the forefront of the country’s fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which to this day continues to imperil marine and aquatic resources and the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of fisherfolk,” Gongona said.

Meanwhile, Senator Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committees on Agriculture and Food and Environment and Natural Resources, said that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations predicted that in 2050, the oceans in the Philippines will turn into a virtual dessert.

Villar said that at present, the Philippine oceans and aquaculture provide an equal share of fish.

“By 2050, aquaculture is expected to provide 100 percent of fish supply,” Villar stated.

This means that by 2050, the Philippine waters will have a zero share of fish.

Philippine waters now supply an average of 4 million tons of fish catch every year, with 1.5-million fisher folks rely their livelihood on municipal waters.

She said that it is high time for a top fishing country like the Philippines to take good care of its marine biodiversity.

The Senator also urged the Ilonggos to minimize the utilization of single-use plastics because according to forecast, there might be more plastics in the sea than fish in 2050.

“Tayong mga ordinary people, huwag nating itapon ang ating mga waste plastics. Ilagay natin sa basurahan, huwag itapon sa bodies of water because papatayin nito ang ating mga isda,” Villar said.

“Urgent action must be taken to reduce the loss of natural habitats and biodiversity which are part of our common heritage,” she added.

Approximately 60 percent of the Filipino population lives in coastal zones and depends on coastal resources for their livelihoods. These resources are threatened by illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources estimates that the Philippines loses nearly 68.5 billion pesos a year to these harmful fishing practices.

Since the 1990s, USAID has supported the Philippine government’s marine and biodiversity conservation efforts.  This partnership has resulted in a 24 percent increase in fish biomass – or the number and size of fish – in target regions.  To build on this success and face the continued challenges of overfishing, the USAID Fish Right project aims to increase fish biomass and strengthen management of more than 2.5 million hectares of marine area.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

Special thanks to: