The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) conducted a consultation meeting on two proposed Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) namely: the Regulations & Implementing Guidelines on Group Tuna Purse Seine Operations in Mati-Matihan (High Seas Adjacent to the Philippine Economic Zone); and Regulations and Implementing Guidelines on Tuna Purse Seine/Ring Net Operators in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EZZ). It was held on May 21, 2019, at Sydney Hotel, General Santos City. The consultation meeting aims to gather inputs from the Purse Seine sector.
Atty. Benjamin Tabios facilitated the meeting and asked the participants to raise their concerns for the proposed FAOs. There were questions raised during the meeting such as the requirement for Fishing Aggregated Devices (FADs) closure (based on Conservation and Management Measure) beginning on July to September with additional two months FAD closure. Atty. Tabios asked the participants on what the appropriate months for the additional two months FAD closure would be - May to June or October to November.
Other salient features were also presented such as Observer Coverage, Entry-Exit Notifications, Transfer of Access, and among others.
All the results from the public consultation will be consolidated for the final draft. It will be presented to National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (NFARMC).
