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About BFAR
History

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is the government agency responsible for the development, improvement, management and conservation of the country’s fisheries and aquatic resources. It was reconstituted as a line bureau by virtue of Republic Act No. 8550 (Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998). The bureau is under the Department of Agriculture.

As a line bureau, BFAR has the following functions:

Prepare and implement a comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan;

Issue licenses for the operation of commercial fishing vessels;

Issue identification cards free of charge to fishworkers engaged in commercial fishing;

Monitor and review joint fishing agreements between Filipino citizens and foreigners who conduct fishing activities in international waters and ensure that such agreements are not contrary to Philippine commitment under international treaties and convention on fishing in the high seas;

Formulate and implement a Comprehensive Fishery Research and Development Program, such as, but not limited to, sea farming, sea ranching, tropical / ornamental fish and seaweed culture, aimed at increasing resource productivity improving resource use efficiency, and ensuring the long term sustainability of the county’s fishery and aquatic resources;

Establish and maintain a comprehensive Fishery Information System;

Provide extensive development support services in all aspects of fisheries production, processing and marketing;

Provide advisory services and technical assistance on the improvement of quality of fish from the time it is caught (i.e., on board fishing vessels, at landing areas, fish markets, to the processing plants and to the distribution and marketing chain);

Coordinate efforts relating to fishery production undertaken by the primary fishery producers, LGUs, FARMCs, fishery and organization / cooperatives;

Advise and coordinate with LGUs on the maintenance of proper sanitation and hygienic practices in fish markets and fish landing areas;

Establish a corps of specialists in collaboration with the Department of National Defense, Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Foreign Affairs for the efficient monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing activities within Philippine territorial waters and provide the necessary facilities, equipment and training thereof;

Implement and inspection system for import and export of fishery / aquatic products and fish processing establishments consistent with international standards to ensure product quality and safety;

Coordinate with LGUs and other concerned agencies for the establishment of productivity-enhancing and market development programs in fishing communities to enable women to engage in other fisheries / economic activities and contribute significantly to development efforts;

Enforce all laws, formulate and enforce all rules and regulations governing the conservation and management of fishery resources, except in municipal waters and to settle conflicts of resource use and allocation in consultation with the NFARMC, LGUs and local FARMCs;

Develop value-added fishery products for domestic consumption and export;

Recommend measures for the protection / enhancement of the fishery industries;

Assist the LGUs in developing their technical capability in the development, management, regulation conservation and protection of the fishery resources;

Formulate rules and regulations for the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks; and

Perform such other related functions which shall promote the development, conservation, management protection and utilization of fisheries and aquatic resources.

When the Civil Government was established on July 4, 1901, the Philippine Commission proposed the creation of an Office under the Department of the Interior to take charge of the conservation, promotion and development of the country’s fishery resources. This was not carried out, due to limited funds. The Secretary of the Interior continued to stir interest in the development of fisheries. Finally, in 1907, studies in fisheries began following the arrangements made by the Secretary of the Interior for the services of the U.S. Fish Commission research fishing vessel “Albatross” to work in Philippine waters for eighteen months; and the employment of an American specialist in fisheries in the Bureau of Science to take charge of all work pertaining to fisheries. This Division remained under the Bureau of Science until the end of 1932.

On January 1, 1933, by virtue of General Memorandum Order No. 4, dated December 5, 1932, of the Secretary of Agriculture and Commerce, the Division of Fisheries and the Division of Zoology of the Bureau of Science, together with the Division of Forest Fauna and Grazing of the Bureau of Forestry, were fused into one special division known as the Fish and Game Administration, which was placed under the direct administrative jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture and Commerce. Under this arrangement, the Fish and Game Administration operated under the provisions of the Fisheries Act (Act No. 4003) and Act No. 2590, entitled “An Act for the Protection of Game and Fish.” By subsequent reorganization effected on September 27, 1934, the Fish and Game Administration was returned to the Bureau of Science. The reason for its return was to strengthen the office through the use of equipment, personnel, and appropriation of the said Bureau.

On July 1, 1939, under the provisions of General Administrative Order No. 15, the Fish and Game Administration was reorganized as an independent unit under the Department of Agriculture and Commerce and renamed Division of Fisheries. The functions pertaining to forest fauna and grazing were returned to the Bureau of Forestry and those of the Division of Zoology to the Bureau of Science.

The Division of Fisheries, as a special division under the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, functioned until the outbreak of the war in 1941. During the early days of World War II, the Division of Fisheries was fused with the Bureau of Forestry and then known as the Bureau of Forestry and Fishery. In the latter part of the enemy occupation, however, the Division of Fisheries was converted into an independent office known as the Bureau of Fisheries.

Taking cognizance of the increasing importance of effectively administering and conserving our fishery and other aquatic resources in our efforts to rehabilitate our prostrate economy, the Congress of the Philippines enacted Republic Act No. 177 creating the present Bureau of Fisheries which took effect on July 1, 1947. The Division of Fisheries and all sections, field districts, experimental stations and all activities and agencies of the National Government connected with fishery work have been incorporated in the Bureau of Fisheries.

As organized on July 1, 1947, the Bureau of Fisheries had seven functional divisions, namely, (1) Administrative Division, (2) Division of Fish Culture and Fisheries Biology, (3) Division of Commercial Fisheries, (4) Division of Fisheries Technology, (5) Division of Licenses and Regulations, (6) Division of Investigation and Inspection, and (7) Philippine Institute of Fisheries Technology offering a 2 1/2-year course in fisheries on the collegiate level. Subsequently, branches of this Institute offering a 4-year secondary course in fisheries were established in Samar, Cebu, Albay, Iloilo, Zamboanga City, Antique, and Batangas.

The entire Philippines was divided into ten fishery districts, each with a District Fishery Officer as head. The headquarters of the ten fishery districts were located in strategic places in the different fishing regions: Fishery District No. 1-Aparri, Cagayan; 2-Dagupan City; 3-Manila; 4-Naga City; 5-Catbalogan, Samar; 6-Iloilo City; 7-Coron, Palawan; 8-Cebu City; 9-Davao City; and 10-Zamboanga City.

Mission

““To increase fisheries and aquaculture resiliency and production within ecological limits by adopting appropriate and science-based technologies and management system as well as through gender responsive and socially inclusive policies, programs, and projects.”

Vision

“English:

“A gender-equitable and socially-inclusive institution that excels in climate-adaptive and sustainable fisheries and aquatic resources management, providing quality service towards food fish sufficiency, food security, and improved lives of fisherfolk by 2040”
Filipino:

” Serbisyong tapat, isda’y sapat, mangingisda’y angat.”

Societal Goal

““Improved fisherfolk quality of life”

Societal Goal