𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗬 𝗦𝗨𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗟, 𝗖𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 (July 12) – Following the updates on the Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project, a draft Sardines Fisheries Management Plan was coined as formulated by the Fisheries Management Area 9’s (FMA-9) Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) during its 2nd Quarter board members’ meeting, on Friday.

SAG coordinator, Princess Mae T. Cena, outlined strategic measures to manage and sustain sardine populations in FMA-9, addressing both conservation needs and the economic importance of sardines to the local fisheries industry.

“Sardines play a crucial role in our marine ecosystems and are vital to our local economies,” Cena emphasized. “A comprehensive management plan is critical to maintaining their populations and ensuring their sustainability.”

The proposed management plan encompasses several key elements that include implementing sustainable fishing regulations for local government units (LGUs), ensuring the conservation of crucial habitats to support sardine populations, and involving local communities in the stewardship of marine resources.

Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of reinforcing the role of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils (FARMCs) to create and enforce unified fishing policies across the FMA.

The SAG coordinator also emphasized the importance of having flexible localized harvest control rules, regular scientific data collection and monitoring, protection of spawning grounds, and adaptive management strategies to address evolving environmental conditions.

Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the presented Sardine Fisheries Management Plan, offering insights and recommendations to refine and enhance the proposed plans.

Consequently, the body passed and endorsed a resolution to the Technical Working Group (TWG) to conduct regional consultations on the plan in coordination with BFAR regions, set to commence within the next quarter.

These consultations, spearheaded by FMA-9 TWG, are expected to yield specific, actionable feedback from fisherfolk, LGUs, scientists, and industry representatives, enhancing the plan’s effectiveness and applicability.

Lastly, Majen M. Casinillo, the FMA-9 Alternate Focal, highlighted the integration of scientific research into the FMA-9 Road Map. This comprehensive guide outlines the strategic directions for sustainable fisheries in the FMA-9, detailing key objectives, timelines, and necessary actions to achieve long-term sustainability goals.

The commitment to preserving sardine populations while supporting local economies remains at the forefront of its agenda, ensuring a balanced approach to conservation and economic viability, as FMA-9 moves forward with these initiatives. (𝘾𝙇𝙑𝙞𝙖𝙟𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚//𝘽𝙁𝘼𝙍-10)