Gov Defensor, 11 Iloilo Mayors adopt FMA 11 Framework
| by Maria Lea Mandalejo
| March 31, 2023
Governor Defensor, Iloilo Mayors with BFAR 6 Regional Director, Remia A. Aparri (front row, leftmost) pose after the successful MOA signing
Iloilo Governor Arthur R. Defensor, Jr. and Local Chief Executives from the municipalities of Barotac Viejo, Ajuy, Concepcion, San Dionisio, Batad, Sara, Lemery, San Rafael, Balasan, Estancia, and Carles signed a resolution adopting the Fisheries Management Area 11 framework for implementation in their respective local government units during the meeting of the Northern Iloilo Alliance for Development (NIAD) on March 30-31, 2023, held at Solina Beach Resort, Carles, Iloilo.
The Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 11 Management Framework 2022 - 2027 is aimed at addressing the top priority issues in FMA 11 including 1) rampant illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; 2) lack of alternative livelihood; 3) declining fish catch; and 4) lack of coordinated enforcement in the implementation of fishery laws.
BFAR 6 Regional Director Remia A. Aparri, FMA 11 Management Board Chairperson, headed the BFAR 6 delegation during the meeting. RD Aparri, during her interview, expressed her support for NIAD and congratulated the council for adopting the management framework to stop, once and for all, the approximately Php 262 million income loss due to IUU Fishing.
The NIAD council also came up with holistic strategies in terms of policy, Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC) strengthening, Information, Education, and Communication (IEC), and enforcement to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing using the IUU Fishing Threat (I-FIT) Assessment Result.
The IFIT workshop was facilitated by BFAR 6 and USAID Fish Right last March 2022 identified the top 3 violations that persist in Northern Iloilo including Super Hulbot, Fine mesh nets, and municipal trawl which caused the Php 262 Million of income losses from users of legal gears.
TWG members planning their next steps on the roll-out of FMA 11 Management Framework Plan in their respective provinces
During the meeting, NIAD also selected Mayor Milliard S. Villanueva of Concepcion as their representative to the FMA 11 Management Board.
Likewise, the council members approved the resolution for the adoption of the Management Protected Area Network to ensure the protection and conservation of critical habitats in Northern Iloilo.
BFAR 6 played a significant role in the revival of the NIAD after a series of meetings and workshops and stakeholder consultation and validation as part of the FMA 11 Management Plan rollout.