BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) in Caraga formally opened on Monday, September 16, 2024, the celebration of the 61st Fish Conservation Week with the theme: “Sama-sama Tungo sa Maunlad at Likas-Kayang Pangisdaan sa Bagong Pilipinas.”
The Regional Bureau convened partners from the local government units (LGUs) particularly the municipal agriculturists, fisheries coordinators, provincial representatives, and some fisherfolk beneficiaries during the ceremonial opening of the weeklong celebration held at the Regional Fisherfolk Training Center, Butuan City.
In his video message, BFAR OIC-national director Isidro Velayo, Jr. urged everyone to take action – for the fisherfolk to practice sustainable fishing methods, for the local governments to support and enforce conservation measures, and for the private sector partners to contribute to these efforts.
“As we embrace the theme of unity—sama-sama—let us each play our part in achieving our shared goals. It is only through partnership and cooperation that we can create lasting change. In the Bagong Pilipinas that we are all helping to shape, we envision a fisheries sector that not only provides food and income but also thrives alongside the ecosystems that sustain it,” Velayo stressed.
Regional director Omnia B. Olama, in her keynote speech, highlighted the importance of the collective actions of all sectors in achieving sustainable development and growth in the fisheries industry.
“The success of the fisheries industry is deeply knitted like the net that we use to catch our fish. Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to fish conservation and be reminded of our actions today as this will determine the health and wealth of our oceans for generations to come,” Olama noted.
Highlights of the ceremonial opening was the inauguration of the Integrated Marine Environment Monitoring System (IMEMS) project and the turn-over of the 12 units fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) to select fisherfolk beneficiaries from Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur.
The kick-off ceremony also served as a venue for the team building activities, wherein BFAR personnel and LGU partners, enjoyed the various ball games, sports and other recreational activities organized by the Finance and Admin Office.
Key officials and personnel from the DA-BFAR Caraga, also spearheaded a coastal cleanup drive together with LGU partners and local volunteers within the vicinity of Barangay 10, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte on Tuesday, September 17, in support to the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2024.
Fish Conservation Week is observed every third week of September as part of the annual Maritime and Archipelagic Month (Mana Mo) observance, designed to integrate, and to harmonize efforts of all maritime-related events to raise public awareness about a wide range of marine and archipelagic issues, in accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 316, series of 2017. This year’s MANA MO theme is “Pamana ng Karagatan: Para sa Kinabukasan, Ating Ingatan.” (Andy T. Ordoña, Information Officer, DA-BFAR Caraga)
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