NextGen Day

Even as it defended the plan to import fish to remedy a shortfall, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) could use greater financial help to meet its objective of achieving food security.

In an interview on Friday, DA Undersecretary for Agri-Industrialization and Fisheries Cheryl Natividad-Caballero revealed that BFAR receives less funding than other agricultural organizations.

As a result, the goal of increasing fish production is limited and will be determined by the available money.

“William Dar, the Secretary, has spoken, and we must not underestimate his intelligence.” In response to critics questioning the DA’s decision to import 60,000 metric tons (MT) of pelagic fish to fill a projected shortfall in the first quarter of 2022, Caballero said, “As head of the Department, his approval and or issuances and guidelines clearly set the agency’s directions and guidance.”

Dar signed the Certificate of Necessity to Import on Tuesday, citing damage to the fisheries sector of PHP4 billion caused by Typhoon Odette last year, as well as lower fish production due to the halted fishing season.

Dar previously stated that imports will merely fill in the gaps left by what can’t be produced locally and that the country “has to rely less” on other countries to boost its economy.

BFAR has been investing in aquaculture infrastructure, such as hatcheries, in order to produce high-quality fry and fingerlings, reduce imports, and increase revenue and livelihood for fish farmers.

According to BFAR data, the fisheries sector produced 3,118,525.02 MT in the first three quarters of 2021, which was 1.94 percent less than the 3,180,086.28 MT produced in 2020, and was related to a reduction in commercial fisheries production.

Aquaculture accounted for 50.88 percent of total production, followed by municipal fisheries with 26.88 percent and commercial fisheries with 22.24 percent.

The municipal and aquaculture sub-sectors each had a 1.19 percent and 0.89 percent growth, respectively.

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