NEW BFAR PROGRAM THRUSTS AND DIRECTIONS

“Realizing our goal for a modern, sustainable, productive
and healthy fisheries industry”


GUIDEPOSTS

1. Increasing Fish Production through Resource Conservation Measures

We shall develop new approaches to fisheries industry development at the community levels – integrating the necessary pre-requisites of food safety and quality from farm to table while at the same time institutionalizing resource sustainability and conservation.

We shall plant 100 million mangrove trees and promote mangrove-friendly aquaculture system or aqua-silvi to marginal fisherfolk communities. This way we shall increase production, generate jobs and increase incomes while at the same time nurse back to health our degraded coastal waters.

We shall establish community-based multi-purpose hatcheries for blue crabs, abalone, sea urchins and other important species that will provide fries and seedlings to aqua-silvi fish farmers and those who will be operating fish cages in our mariculture parks.

We shall continue to teach our fishermen to raise fish, seaweeds and other aquatic animals, this way we will provide our seas the needed respite from overfishing and exploitation.



2. Intensifying Fishery Resource Protection and Law Enforcement

We shall work on formulating stricter policies and regulations to curb illegal fishing activities and resource exploitation.

We have already created a unit under my office known as the Fisheries Resource Protection and Law Enforcement Unit. Quick Response Teams are now being organized. They will be on duty 24/7 to address issues concerning illegal fishing and other emergency situations such as fish kills and the like. Necessary logistic support is in the pipeline.


3. Fast-tracking Infrastructure Development

We shall continue to establish the necessary infrastructural support such as ice plants and cold storage and post-harvest facilities, hatcheries, nurseries, and the like in identified areas.

Finally, we shall have our very own building (after 64 years) that will house not only the BFAR but also the NFRDI as well. It shall also house state-of-the-art laboratories and fish clinics compliant with international standards.


4. Investing on People, Research and Technology

We shall build up on our research and develop more environment-friendly technologies that are responsive to the challenges both natural (such as climate change) and economic (such as global recession, fuel shortages, etc.).

We shall institutionalize a staff development program where our personnel shall be given opportunities to develop their capabilities and be exposed to modern developments in local and foreign lands. Systems shall be developed in the promotion and selection process.


5. Facilitating Industry Development

We shall make accessible to our industry players various platforms that will facilitate access to new and better technologies, credit, new markets including the development of new product standards.

We shall work towards trade expansion by streamlining documentation and other procedural requirements and we will establish stronger collaboration with similar agencies.

We shall enhance our competency as an authority in assuring product quality and safety. This way, the country’s seafood industry would be able to gain market confidence and become more competitive in the global market.


Management Guiding Principles

My management shall adhere to the principles of:

1. Transparency
2. Predictability
3. Consistency
4. Pro-Activeness
5. Collaboration


“It is only by working in synch that we could turn our aspirations into reality.”