BFAR FishCore Project - FMA 6

From conservation efforts and community engagement activities to productive harvests and livelihood gains, FishCoRe continues to advance sustainable and resilient fisheries and coastal communities in FMAs 6 and 9.

Check out this week's highlights and see how our fisherfolk, partners, and stakeholders are making a difference—one milestone at a time.

Let us know your thoughts in the comment section!

As we commemorate the International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing this June 5, the Philippines continues to gain global recognition for its efforts to protect fisheries resources and uphold responsible fishing practices. In the 2025 Global IUU Fishing Index, the country ranked 54th out of 152 coastal States and fourth best in Asia, reflecting stronger fisheries governance and enforcement.

This achievement is supported by the sustained efforts of the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) in strengthening fishery law enforcement through expanded sea and coastal patrol operations, deployment of patrol vessels, enhanced monitoring and surveillance systems, and closer coordination with partner enforcement agencies. The Bureau also continues to institutionalize best practices through the Fishery Law Enforcement Manual of Operations (FLEMO), which provides standardized, lawful, and effective procedures for fisheries enforcement personnel nationwide.

Beyond improving rankings, these initiatives demonstrate the Philippines’ commitment to safeguarding marine resources, protecting fisherfolk livelihoods, and ensuring that future generations continue to benefit from sustainable and responsibly managed fisheries.

As we commemorate the International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing this June 5, the Philippines continues to gain global recognition for its efforts to protect fisheries resources and uphold responsible fishing practices. In the 2025 Global IUU Fishing Index, the country ranked 54th out of 152 coastal States and fourth best in Asia, reflecting stronger fisheries governance and enforcement.

This achievement is supported by the sustained efforts of the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) in strengthening fishery law enforcement through expanded sea and coastal patrol operations, deployment of patrol vessels, enhanced monitoring and surveillance systems, and closer coordination with partner enforcement agencies. The Bureau also continues to institutionalize best practices through the Fishery Law Enforcement Manual of Operations (FLEMO), which provides standardized, lawful, and effective procedures for fisheries enforcement personnel nationwide.

Beyond improving rankings, these initiatives demonstrate the Philippines’ commitment to safeguarding marine resources, protecting fisherfolk livelihoods, and ensuring that future generations continue to benefit from sustainable and responsibly managed fisheries.

| 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐂𝐨𝐑𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

LOBO, BATANGAS – The Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project successfully concluded the FISHCORExhibit of Artworks: Raising Awareness on Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency Art Competition, recognizing the creativity and advocacy of Filipina artists from 11 project-covered regions during the national awarding ceremony on May 28, 2026.

In celebration of the Month of the Ocean, the competition gathered talented Filipinas from Fisheries Management Areas (FMA) 6 and 9 to showcase sculptures inspired by fisheries, coastal resilience, and food security. Through art, participants highlighted the importance of protecting marine ecosystems and strengthening community awareness on sustainable coastal management.

Emerging as this year’s national champion was Rona May Forinas from Central Visayas, whose artwork best embodied the competition’s theme and impressed the panel of judges with its creativity, craftsmanship, impact, and durability.

Her piece pays tribute to the strength and resilience of men and women in coastal communities as she believes that the everyday actions of individuals serve as a reminder of the shared responsibility to protect the seas for future generations.

Caraga pride Aime Claudine Neri-Espina and National Capital Region pride Myth Aera Lambot received first and second place respectively. The FishCoRe Project also encouraged public participation through the Social Media Choice Award, allowing online communities to support and celebrate their favorite artworks.

The national judging was conducted on May 27, 2026 at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Conference Room in Quezon City. Esteemed judges from the arts and museum sector evaluated the entries, including:
● Assist. Prof. Paul AR Quiano, UP College of Fine Arts
● Assoc. Prof. Jose Manuel Sicat, UP College of Fine Arts
● Deputy Director-General for Museums, Arvin Manuel R. Villalon, National Museum of the Philippines represented by Mr. Ryanorlie B. Abeledo
● Assist. Prof. Mary Christie D. Que, LPT MS, Dean, UST College of Fine Arts and Design
● Assist. Prof. Pedro Felix G. Garcia II, Chair of Painting Program, UST College of Fine Arts and Design

Each sculpture was evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Creativity & Originality – Unique and inventive concepts and ex*****on
2. Form & Style – Mastery and finesse in sculpting techniques
3. Artwork Impact – Overall impression and effectiveness in conveying the theme
4. Durability – Strength and resilience to withstand handling, shipping, and display

This year’s competition exclusively featured Filipina participants, as the activity was originally part of the first-ever Women FiSHEr Congress. The Congress was later rescheduled to September following Memorandum Circular 114 from the Office of the President, which directed all government agencies and instrumentalities to implement stricter energy conservation measures, including a 10–20% reduction in electricity and fuel consumption. # # #

FMP ng dalag baybay at ADMP, pinag-usapan sa ikalawang pagtitipon ng BFAR TWG

Nagsama-sama ang mga miyembro ng Technical Working Group (TWG) ng Fisheries Management Area 6 (FMA 6) Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) para sa ikalawang pagtitipon ng Fisheries Management Area 6 TWG Meeting sa Clark, Pampanga ngayong ika-25 hanggang 27 ng Mayo ngayong taon.

Ang pagtitipon ay isinagawa upang suriin, pag-usapan, at magbigay ng karagdagang impormasyon para sa ginagawang Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) para sa Greater Lizardfish (Saurida tumbil) o dalag baybay at iba pang demersal na isda. Ito rin ay para gawin ang FMA 6 Aquaculture Development Management Plan (ADMP) para sa taong 2027-2032.

Sa mensahe ni G. Neil Kenneth Catibog, Focal Person ng FishCoRe Project, pinasalamatan niya ang mga miyembro ng TWG sa kanilang walang sawang pagsuporta sa mga adhikain ng BFAR at ng proyekto tulad na lamang sa kanilang aktibong pakikiisa sa pagbuo ng FMP at ADMP.

Ang nilalaman ng FMP para sa dalag baybay ay mga impormasyon patungkol sa kasalukuyang estado ng nasabing isda, kung paano ito mapanatili at maprotektahan sa tuluyang pagkawala . Tinukoy din ang mga hakbang para siguraduhin na ang mga apektadong mangingisda sa ipapatupad na mga stratehiya ng pamamahala ay magkakaroon ng alternatibong pagkakakitaan.

Sa kabilang dako, ang ADMP ay naglalaman ng mga plano at stratehiya para mapaunlad ang industriya ng aquaculture sa bansa. Ayon kay G. Rafael Ramiscal, FishCoRe National FISHCRRM Technical Assistant, ang paggawa ng ADMP ay nakabatay mismo sa Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project Design. Patungkol lahat sa aquaculture ang mga livelihood intervention ng proyekto, dagdag pa niya.

Ang mga layunin at stratehiya na laman ng plano ay nakabatay sa agham at datos na nakalap o mula sa mga pag-aaral ng mga miyembro ng TWG. Nakalahad din sa nasabing plano ang mga posibleng proyekto na maaaring mapakinabangan, makuha o matanggap ng mga apektadong sektor.

Sa pagbuo ng FMP at ADMP, isinaalang-alang din dito ang mga posibleng maging epekto ng plano at ng mga stratehiya na kaakibat nito sa mga yamang dagat at sa kabuhayang pang-ekonomiya at panlipunan ng mga mangingisda, at ng lahat ng mga apektadong sektor.

Para maging mas produktibo ang pagtitipon, ang mga dumalo ay nahati sa dalawang pangkat. Pinag-usapan ng unang grupo ang FMP para sa Saurida tumbil o greater lizardfish habang ang isang grupo ay nagdiskurso naman patungkol sa FMA 6 ADMP.

Ilan sa dumalo sa pagtitipon ay ang mga bagong halal na miyembro ng Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) at Management Board (MB), tauhan mula sa US Embassy Fish Project, mga tauhan ng BFAR at ng FishCoRe Project mula sa anim na sakop na rehiyon ng FMA 6 partikular ang Rehiyon I, III, 4A, 4B, CAR at NCR. //

Writer: MJMetwa
Photo: Paul Christian Tumang

SAN JUAN, Abra (PIA) — Members of the Baug Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (MPC) in San Juan, Abra, train on fish processing and marketing through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) FishCore Project in partnership with the Municipal Agriculture Office.

FishCore Modern and Resilient Livelihood Investment (MARLIN) 2.2 Technical Support Staff Rian Mae Ramirez explained that the training is part of the preparations for the cooperative’s proposed Fish Consolidation and Trading project.

“Since ang enterprise nila ay fish trading, maari pa kasi silang mag-expand pa. Isang way para maibenta nila ang produkto nila ay value-adding para madagdagan ng worth or price ‘yung mga products nila para mas makabenta pa sila at mawalan ng loss yung negosyo nila,” she said.

Ramirez also shared that beneficiary organizations under the BFAR FishCore are given alternative livelihood opportunities that are sustainable and environment-friendly.

“Adda gamin ti portion ti FishCore about conservation of fish natin ditoy Abra River and part of the project is maapektaran met dagiti fisherfolk tayo so adda daytoy component ti FishCore nga MARLIN nga mangitid ti alternative nga kabuhayan da tapno madi da agpilit nga ag-illegal and unregulated fishing,” she said.

Meanwhile, Baug Farmers MPC President Irene Nierves expressed optimism that their proposed project will be approved and will soon give livelihood and employment, especially to the members of the cooperative who are small farmers and fisherfolk.

“Aside from maadaan ti employment dagitoy members tayo, magkaroon da pay ti market nga sure nga sadiwa ken safe nga taraon ti community,” she said.

Nierves also cited the important role of the cooperative in ensuring that the products of farmers and fisherfolk are sold at the best prices.

“Bale ti coop gamin ti tumaktakder nga marketing arm dagitoy farmers ken fisherfolk iti San Juan isu nga fish trading and consolidation ti inpropose tayo nga project,” she said.

Under the BFAR FishCore MARLIN 2.2, 80 percent of the funding for the cooperative’s project, once approved, will come from the World Bank and the Philippine government.

The remaining 20 percent will come from the beneficiary organization in the form of cash or in kind.The BFAR FishCore (Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency) Project aims to improve sustainable fisheries production, climate resilience and food security through community-based infrastructure and livelihood projects. (JDP/JJMT- PIA CAR, Abra)

𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐎𝐋𝐊 | Members of the Baug Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (MPC) in San Juan, Abra, train on fish processing and marketing through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) FishCore program in partnership with the Municipal Agriculture Office. 𝑭𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚: https://pia.gov.ph/news/bfar-fishcore-empowers-abra-farmers-fisherfolk-on-fish-processing-marketing/

The 11 project-covered regions have officially chosen their standout sculptures for the national competition of !

Now, it’s your turn, netizens, to help etch in stone which masterpiece truly stands above the rest.

Which among these 11 remarkable sculptures best embodies the vision of the Project — promoting food security, ecosystem resilience, and sustainable communities?

Mechanics for voting:
1. Follow the BFAR Philippines page
2. Hit the like 👍 button of your favorite artwork
3. Share to hype up your fave!
𝟏 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 (👍) 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 = 𝟏 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄
Only 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 (👍) reactions will be counted
Voting closes on May 27, 2026 | 12MN.

From the depths of creativity and coastal advocacy come masterpieces that tell the stories of our seas, fisherfolk, and resilience.

Get ready as we officially unveil the remarkable entries to the national category of this year's FISHCOREXHIBIT: Raising Awareness on Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency Art Competition online this May 26, 2026. 🐟🎨

Witness how artists from FishCoRe project-covered regions transformed marine conservation and coastal resiliency into meaningful works of art that celebrate the beauty and importance of our fisheries and coastal communities.

Judging of entries will take place on May 27, 2026, where the best sculptures will be carefully evaluated by our panel of judges.

The Awarding Ceremony will then be held on May 28, 2026, recognizing the outstanding artworks and talented artists behind these inspiring creations.

Before the grand reveal and awarding, check out the highlights from our
FISHCOREXHIBIT Regional Awarding Roundup:
📍 Cordillera Administrative Region
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18K9yX3SKc/
📍 National Capital Region
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B4DaKErnc/
📍 Region 1
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19XhYmWwy5/
📍 Region 3
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1YLABmuULD/
📍 Region 4A
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Fu9gcCX5b/
📍 Region 4B
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DiQfUshQy/
📍 Region 7
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19Go5sXWhq/
📍 Region 8
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CsyJcRsRG/
📍 Region 9
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GtiKXC1o7/
📍 Region 10 https://www.facebook.com/share/14fYic3Y4xw/?mibextid=wwXIfr
📍 Region 13
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LMSinY9zh/
Stay tuned and discover these treasures transformed from ocean waste beneath the waves. 🌊

From the depths of creativity and coastal advocacy come masterpieces that tell the stories of our seas, fisherfolk, and resilience.

Get ready as we officially unveil the remarkable entries to the national category of this year's FISHCOREXHIBIT: Raising Awareness on Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency Art Competition online this May 26, 2026. 🐟🎨

Witness how artists from FishCoRe project-covered regions transformed marine conservation and coastal resiliency into meaningful works of art that celebrate the beauty and importance of our fisheries and coastal communities.

Judging of entries will take place on May 27, 2026, where the best sculptures will be carefully evaluated by our panel of judges.

The Awarding Ceremony will then be held on May 28, 2026, recognizing the outstanding artworks and talented artists behind these inspiring creations.

Before the grand reveal and awarding, check out the highlights from our FISHCOREXHIBIT Regional Awarding Roundup:

📍 Cordillera Administrative Region
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18K9yX3SKc/

📍 National Capital Region
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B4DaKErnc/

📍 Region 1
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19XhYmWwy5/

📍 Region 3
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1YLABmuULD/

📍 Region 4A
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Fu9gcCX5b/

📍 Region 4B
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DiQfUshQy/

📍 Region 7
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19Go5sXWhq/

📍 Region 8
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CsyJcRsRG/

📍 Region 9
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GtiKXC1o7/

📍 Region 10 https://www.facebook.com/share/14fYic3Y4xw/?mibextid=wwXIfr

📍 Region 13
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LMSinY9zh/

Stay tuned and discover these treasures transformed from ocean waste beneath the waves. 🌊

287 KILOS OF BANGUS HARVESTED BY THE SEAFARERS ASSOCIATION OF TABAO FROM THE CLIMATE-RESILIENT FISH CAGE PROJECT FUNDED UNDER THE BFAR-FISHCORE PROJECT!