BFAR conducts Mindanao-wide Media conference in Zamboanga City

Becky D. de Asis

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources conducted a regional media – wide conference in this city in order to enhance and show the people on what is the real score of the BFAR’s activities within their area of jurisdiction last week.

Director Asis Perez with Director Janice Musali and Mayor

Roderick Furigay of Lamitan ,  Basilan (center)  tried to push

the Payao floater into the water, the fishing ground of

Lamitan municipality. (Photo by Judys G. Cogo)

The conference was attended by six regional offices throughout Mindanao which include the Region 9, Region 10, Region 11, Region 12, Caraga region and ARMM.

Director Asis Perez of BFAR National told the media about the plight of BFAR now in the Philippines.

He said the Philippine fishing as of now with regards on sea-aqua-marine production were on the 5^th place worldwide.

He added they are doing their best to do something productive to those areas were passively having a big-fish-production.

“It is our job to locate and give helps to small-marine-farmers. The payao, pump boat, fish nets and others are some importance materials they need in their fishing activity,” said Perez.

He said the country has 2,212 Million square kilometer total territorial water while the land area is 13 Million hectares.

Reyes said the President Aquino ordered him to give priority to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM because of their territorial fishing capability that gives the future a big production in our country and also to gain and maintain peace and order in the area.

The national government extended 120 payao’s for the ARMM, pumpboats, fish nets while the other regions also receive some supports.

Meanwhile, Director Janice Desamito-Musali of ARMM said they prioritized Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi because these are the fishing ground of ARMM.