Welcome

Learn interesting and factual insights about Fisheries Management Area 8 and be informed of the holistic and scientific fisheries management actions being undertaken to conserve and protect the abundant resources of our FMA. Gain new knowledge and transform this into meaningful actions. Be with our drive towards sustainable fisheries management for the present and future generations!

Welcome to the Fisheries Management Area 8 website!

– Dr. Juan D. Albaladejo

Concept Briefer

Bisaya Version

Waray-Waray Version

Tagalog Version

Resources

The Fisheries Management Area 8 upholds SCIENCE-BASED, PARTICIPATORY GOVERNANCE, and TRANSPARENCY in the management of fisheries and marine resources – among the goals under the DA-BFAR FAO 263, series of 2019. We present the current state of fisheries, the status of the FMA implementation, the policy instruments adopted, and the activities that transpired to facilitate its full and effective implementation.

What are Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs)?

Fishery Management Areas or FMAs are areas (bay, gulf, lake or others) identified by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) as major fishing grounds based on stocks boundary/range/distribution, structure of fisheries and administrative subdivisions which integrate science-based, participatory and transparent governance framework and mechanism to sustainably manage fisheries in such areas to stop overfishing, fight illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing and promote food security and poverty alleviation in the Philippines.

Existing Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (IFARMC) and other Local Government Unit (LGU) alliances covered inside the subject FMA form part of the FMA as coalitions.

The municipal or city government retains jurisdiction over municipal waters within the FMA, while Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) continue to exercise jurisdictions beyond municipal waters and commercial fisheries.

Each FMA must create its own Management Body (MB) composed of multi-stakeholders from government, non-government institutions, fisheries sector, and where appropriate, Indigenous Peoples.

A scientific advisory group (SAG) must be established by the MB, from government, non-government, and academic institutions, to provide technical advice to the MB.

FMAs or sub-FMAs under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) will be governed by the Expanded NIPAS Act.

Fisheries Management Area 8

Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 8 remains one of the promising management areas in the Philippines holistically co-managed by significant fisheries industries’ stakeholders representing the 51 coastal municipalities within the regions of Eastern Visayas and Caraga. Know more about the first FMA to establish its own Management Body by reading the FMA 8 Profile.

The FMA Plan

The FMA plan should be based on the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management. This framework seeks to address the multiple needs of societies without jeopardizing the options for future generations to benefit from marine ecosystems services. It is a holistic approach that strives to balance ecological, human, and societal well-being, within improved governance frameworks.
The Management Body (MB) will establish Reference Points (RP), Harvest Control Rules (HCR) for the FMA.

Reference points provide guidance on determining whether stock abundance is too low or fishing pressure is too high. Reference points in a fishery include the limit or level that should be avoided; a target, which should be achieved or maintained; and, a buffer to avoid stock collapse.

Harvest Control Rules are a set of well-defined management actions that set, describe and adjust harvest rules and regulations based on stocks reference points.

Management Body Resolutions

Policy Instruments (Resolutions, Agreements, Internal Rules of Procedure) decided and approved by the Fisheries Management Area 8 Management Body for the purpose of protection, conservation, and sustainable science-based management of fisheries in our jurisdiction.

Stock Assessment Results

Stock assessments are the backbone of science-based, transparent, and sustainable fisheries management. This shows the status and condition of fish stocks including the top species of fish in the Fisheries Management Area 8.

Social Media Updates

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