by ย Al Jun B. Magamano

BAROY, Lanao del Norte (Nov. 21) โ In its ongoing efforts to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 10 (BFAR-10), through its Provincial Fisheries Office (PFO) in Lanao del Norte (LDN), conducted a five-day IUUF Assessment and Reduction Planning Workshop using the IUU-Fishing Index and Threat (I-FIT) Assessment Tool on November 18 to 22, this town.
Fisheries Extension Workers (FEW), Task Force Bantay Dagat, and the LGU Law Enforcement Units from the 11 coastal municipalities of LDN, convened and collaborated in identifying key IUUF challenges, assessing its impact, and crafting strategies to address the growing concerns about IUUF in local waters.
The session also included training on sustainable fisheries management, enforcement of legal frameworks, and community engagement techniques to equip Municipal FEWs with the tools to strengthen local capacities in addressing IUUF and promoting responsible fishing practices.
Accordingly, the IUUF is a serious threat to the sustainable use of our oceans and to the livelihood of communities dependent on them. The scope ranges from unlicensed fishing, inaccurate reporting to authorities, and the use of illegal or harmful fishing methods, affecting the economy, ecology, and food security. It is aligned with the guidelines set forth in DILG Memorandum Circular 2024-116, which provides a standardized approach for LGUs to assess IUU fishing risks and develop effective mitigation strategies.
PFO-LDN Fisheries Protection and Law Enforcement Group (FPLEG) Team Leader Cheryl B. Magante emphasized I-FIT as a tool used to identify the severity of IUUF threats by analyzing geographic and economic factors, legal compliance, and enforcement capacity.
โThe assessment results will help identify high-risk areas and plan appropriate measures to combat IUUF,โ she stated.
Magante further noted that I-FIT also aids in strengthening policies and tightening enforcement efforts, especially in areas identified as IUUF hotspots.
โIt is an effective step toward ensuring our marine resourcesโ long-term sustainable use,โ she added.
Meanwhile, Iligan City Task Force Bantay Dagat head Eric Capitan expressed his optimism about the workshop, particularly the use of a practical tool that aligns with the guidelines of the DILG Memorandum Circular, allowing them to use the data to update their Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP), Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP), Local Development Investment Program (LDIP), and Peace and Order Public Safety (POPS) plans.
“This workshop is crucial for us as LGUs, as the I-FIT tool will help us make informed decisions and allocate resources effectively to combat IUU fishing and protect our marine environment,โ he stressed.
Further, Capitan shared that the data gathered from these pilot assessments can also be utilized by the DILG to track progress in combating IUUF as part of the Fisheries Compliance Audit (FishCA), the Peace and Order Council (POC) Audit, and potentially as a criterion for the Seal of Good Local Governance. (#AJBMagamano//PFO-LDN)




