President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law the measures establishing a freshwater fish hatchery in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur and a multi-species marine hatchery in Zamboanga City.
Both Republic Act No. 12074 and R.A.12075 were approved on November 12, 2024.
The two laws state that the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) shall transfer the management of the hatcheries to the local government units through a memorandum of agreement.
Further, BFAR shall also implement a training and phasing-in program for local government personnel on the management and operation of the hatcheries.
The local government units shall also set aside funds from any available local revenue for the operation of the fish facilities.
Last February, the BFAR said that it is targeting to attain a 100% fish sufficiency for the Philippines by the end of the Marcos administration in 2028.
BFAR said the Philippines currently has a fish sufficiency level of 92.5%, excluding imports and exports, in 2022.
Among the measures identified in BFAR’s Strategic Plan were the distribution of additional interventions such as new fiberglass reinforced plastic boats, fishing gears, and paraphernalia; establishment of mariculture parks; reassessment and maintenance of existing mariculture parks; and development and recommendation of supplemental guidelines for the operation and management of legislated hatcheries. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News
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