The conservation efforts in the fishery sector have been successful, and it is now time to take the next necessary steps to make them even more successful, said Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and Regulations, Atty. Asis Perez.
Perez made his remarks during the opening of the 3rd Marine Protected Area (MPA) Summit at the MKC Country Home in Puerto Princesa City on Thursday, September 25.
The next best step, he said, is to turn the benefits of conservation success into actual economic opportunities, enabling the fishery sector and fisherfolk, in general, to have a better quality of life.
“Turning this into economic opportunity should be, and I would suggest very strongly, the next step, the way forward,” he said.
“This is a challenge to all. Let’s make this work. We have to reap the fruits of our conservation effort and make sure that we use them properly,” he added.
Perez further stated that there is an urgent need to take the necessary steps towards sustainability, explaining that conservation alone will not work and would not be sustainable.
“We conserve in relationship with the blue economy. There has to be a connection between conservation and economic empowerment or progress. We must be able to align, realize, and feel the benefits of conservation,” he elaborated.
“Because conservation for the sake of it is not going to be and will never be sustainable,” he said.
He particularly cited the implementation of a 2015 administrative order for the closed season of catching galunggong in the northern part of Palawan, which was initially met with criticism from some people who said it would not work. Now on its ninth year, the policy is so successful that commercial fishers, who were the primary beneficiaries, would no longer allow it to be stopped.
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources MIMAROPA (BFAR-MIMAROPA) OIC Regional Director Roberto Abrera, on the other hand, urged local government units (LGUs) and fisherfolk communities to comply with their request to submit updated documents to avail of such opportunities more easily.
He said they only need to submit four updated documents — the comprehensive municipal fishery ordinance; municipal fisheries profile; municipal fisheries development plan; and continuing fisherfolk registration.
“We can bring a lot of opportunities to Palawan, which plays a major role in fisheries,” he said.
Abrera specifically cited four areas in Palawan, which he said are under special areas for agricultural development. These include the municipalities of Cagayancillo, Balabac, Linapacan, and Magsaysay.
He specifically mentioned the Latong Cuyo production in Magsaysay, where they plan to develop and establish five nurseries “so that we can produce this species of seaweed, which is very unique to Palawan.”
He also said seaweed production will be included in the priorities, with the province contributing around 15-20 percent of the national production, which is exported to the US, EU, and China.
