March 6 to 7, 2019 ‖ ALYZA NOELLE TAN
Last March
6 to 7, 2019, the Department of Agriculture- Bureau of Fisheries
and Aquatic Resources (DA- BFAR), the League of Municipalities of the Philippines
(LMP) and Rare Philippines co-hosted the 2019 National Coastal Fisheries Summit
at Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu City.
The summit brought over more than 200 Mayors from the
coastal municipalities, BFAR regional and provincial staff, and representatives
from various national government agencies. The National Fisheries summit aims to
discuss and seek solutions for the emerging issues that the coastal
municipalities and local governments face, and inspire communities to achieve sustainable
fisheries and effective coastal resources management.
The summit discussed
several issues tackling coastal resource management such as the Preferential
Rights of Municipal Fishers, Impacts of Climate Change, Sustainable Financing,
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) and Enforcement, and
National Integrated Protected Areas Systems (NIPAS) and Marine Protected Areas
(MPAs). Outputs of the Summit includes resolutions, policy recommendations, and
set- up of inter-agency, multi- sectoral committees to help address the issues
discussed.
The Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation was an
exhibitor during the event, offering partnerships with LGUs, NGOs and POs as
well as giving out interactive coastal resource management books such as the
Jack’s Tale and Biodiversity