Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils (FARMCs) are established in the national level (NFARMCs) and in all municipalities/cities (M/CFARMCs) abutting municipal waters as defined by Republic Act No. 8550 also known as The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998. The FARMCs shall be formed by fisherfolk organizations/cooperatives and non-government organizations (NGOs) in the locality and be assisted by the Local Government Units (LGUs) and other government entities. Before organizing FARMCs, the LGUs, NGOs, fisherfolk, and other concerned people’s organizations shall undergo consultation and orientation on the formation of FARMCs.
Composition of the FARMCs
| FARMC | Composition | Functions |
|---|---|---|
| National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Management Council (NFARMC) | the Undersecretary of Agriculture, as Chairman; the Undersecretary of the Interior and Local Government; five (5) members representing the fisherfolk and fishworkers; five (5) members representing commercial fishing and aquaculture operators and the processing sectors; two (2) members from the academe; and one (1) representative of NGOs involved in fisheries. | assist in the formulation of national policies for the protection, sustainable development and management of fishery and aquatic resources for the approval of the Secretary; assist the Department in the preparation of the National Fisheries and Industry Development Plan; and perform such other functions as may be provided by law. |
| Municipal/City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Management Councils (M/CFARMCs) | Municipal/City Planning Development Officer; Chairperson, Agriculture/Fishery Committee of the Sangguniang Bayan/Panlungsod representative of the Municipal/City Development Councils; representative from the accredited non-government organization; representative from the private sector; representative from the Department of Agriculture; and at least eleven (11) fisherfolk representatives (seven (7) municipal fisherfolk, one (1) fishworker and three (3) commercial fishers) in each municipality/city which include representative from youth and women sector. | assist in the preparation of the Municipal Fishery Development Plan and submit such plan to the Municipal Development Council; recommend the enactment of municipal fishery ordinances to the sangguniang bayan/ sangguniang panlungsod through its Committee on Fisheries; assist in the enforcement of fishery laws, rules and regulations in municipal waters; advise the sangguniang bayan/panlungsod on fishery matters through its Committee on Fisheries, if such has been organized; and perform such other functions which may be assigned by the sangguniang bayan/panlungsod. |
| Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Management Councils (IFARMCs) | the Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture/Fisheries of the concerned sangguniang bayan/panlungsod; the Municipal/City Fisheries Officers of the concerned municipalities/cities; the Municipal/City Development Officers of the concerned municipalities/cities; one (1) representative from NGO; one (1) representative from the private sector; and at least nine (9) representatives from the fisherfolk sector which include representatives from the youth and women sector. | assist in the preparation of the Integrated Fishery Development Plan and submit such plan to the concerned Municipal Development Councils; recommend the enactment of integrated fishery ordinances to the concerned sangguniang bayan/ panlungsod through its Committee of Fisheries, if such has been organized; assist in the enforcement of fishery laws, rules and regulations in concerned municipal waters; advice the concerned sangguniang bayan/panlungsod on fishery matters through its Committee on Fisheries, if such has been organized; and perform such other functions which may be assigned by the concerned sangguniang bayan/panlungsod |