Coastal mayors pass resolutions for strengthening municipal fisheries

Coastal municipalities have passed a number of resolutions aiming to strengthen fisheries in their respective areas.

A two-day national summit was attended by at least 250 participants as well as local chief executives from March 6 to 7 in Cebu City.

"In this summit, we would like to emphasize that our municipal waters are the spawning grounds of various marine species. If we take care of the municipal waters, we take care of the whole fishing industry," said Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) Undersecretary for Fisheries Eduardo Gongona.

During the event, coastal mayors approved the following resolutions that will help in managing municipal waters, the 15-kilometer area from shore which are important for fisheries, food and livelihood:

• Strengthen coastal fisheries governance to ensure the preferential rights of municipal fishers in the utilization of marine resources;
• Improve the condition of marine protected areas and fish sanctuaries and establish new ones, to sustain fisheries habitats;
• Strengthen marine and fishery law enforcement in coastal communities;
• Prioritize and provide adequate financing to sustain coastal resource and fisheries management programs; and
• Integrate coastal resource and fisheries in municipal climate change programs.

League of Municipalities of the Philippines president Maria Fe Brondial said municipal fishers are the among the least privileged industry in the country.

Through technical working groups, the mayors agreed to work with BFAR to address the issues in managing the fisheries. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News