BFAR Philippines

| 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐆𝐮𝐥𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬

From June to August every year, the closed fishing season in the Davao Gulf prohibits the catching of certain small pelagic fish species in Davao Gulf using bagnets, ringnets, and fine mesh nets.

This allows species such as a variety of mackerels (known as karabalyas, hasa-hasa, anduhao, alumahan), roundscad (galunggong, moro-moro or borot), and big eye scad (matangbaka) to regenerate and rehabilitate, helping ensure fish production and food security in the long run.

𝐁𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐢 𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧, 𝐇𝐢𝐲𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐚𝐧!

Sa pagdiriwang ng Araw ng mga Mangingisda, kinikilala at pinararangalan ng DA-BFAR ang ating mga masisipag at matatag na mangingisdang Pilipino na katuwang ng pamahalaan sa pangangalaga at pagpapaunlad ng sektor ng pangisdaan.

Malaki ang kanilang ambag sa pagpapatatag ng seguridad sa pagkain at sa pagpapasigla ng ekonomiya ng bansa. Sa kabila ng mga hamon at pagsubok, patuloy silang nagsisilbing haligi ng ating lipunan at kabuhayan.

Bilang tugon, nananatiling matatag ang mga programa ng BFAR na suportahan at paunlarin ang industriya ng pangisdaan upang makamit ang mas maunlad at masaganang kinabukasan para sa mga Pilipino.

Taos-pusong pagpupugay at pasasalamat sa ating mga mangingisda na walang sawang humaharap sa panganib ng dagat at sa mga hamon ng buhay para sa kapakanan ng sambayanan.

| 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐂𝐨𝐑𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

LOBO, BATANGAS – The Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project successfully concluded the FISHCORExhibit of Artworks: Raising Awareness on Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency Art Competition, recognizing the creativity and advocacy of Filipina artists from 11 project-covered regions during the national awarding ceremony on May 28, 2026.

In celebration of the Month of the Ocean, the competition gathered talented Filipinas from Fisheries Management Areas (FMA) 6 and 9 to showcase sculptures inspired by fisheries, coastal resilience, and food security. Through art, participants highlighted the importance of protecting marine ecosystems and strengthening community awareness on sustainable coastal management.

Emerging as this year’s national champion was Rona May Forinas from Central Visayas, whose artwork best embodied the competition’s theme and impressed the panel of judges with its creativity, craftsmanship, impact, and durability.

Her piece pays tribute to the strength and resilience of men and women in coastal communities as she believes that the everyday actions of individuals serve as a reminder of the shared responsibility to protect the seas for future generations.

Caraga pride Aime Claudine Neri-Espina and National Capital Region pride Myth Aera Lambot won first and second runner-up respectively. The FishCoRe Project also encouraged public participation through the Social Media Choice Award, allowing online communities to support and celebrate their favorite artworks.

The national judging was conducted on May 27, 2026 at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Conference Room in Quezon City. Esteemed judges from the arts and museum sector evaluated the entries, including:
● Assist. Prof. Paul AR Quiano, UP College of Fine Arts
● Assoc. Prof. Jose Manuel Sicat, UP College of Fine Arts
● Mr. Ryanorlie B. Abeledo, Chief Administrative Officer, Exhibition, Editorial, and Media Production Services Division of the National Museum of the Philippines
● Assist. Prof. Mary Christie D. Que, LPT MS, Dean, UST College of Fine Arts and Design
● Assist. Prof. Pedro Felix G. Garcia II, Chair of Painting Program, UST College of Fine Arts and Design

Each sculpture was evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Creativity & Originality – Unique and inventive concepts and ex*****on
2. Form & Style – Mastery and finesse in sculpting techniques
3. Artwork Impact – Overall impression and effectiveness in conveying the theme
4. Durability – Strength and resilience to withstand handling, shipping, and display

This year’s competition exclusively featured Filipina participants, as the activity was originally part of the first-ever Women FiSHEr Congress. The Congress was later rescheduled to September following Memorandum Circular 114 from the Office of the President, which directed all government agencies and instrumentalities to implement stricter energy conservation measures, including a 10–20% reduction in electricity and fuel consumption. # # #

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐔𝐔𝐅?

The International Day Against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) is observed every June 5 following its official declaration by the United Nations General Assembly in 2017, in recognition of the vital role of sustainable fisheries and the urgent need to combat illegal fishing worldwide. The observance also honors the adoption of the Port State Measures Agreement, the first binding international treaty specifically aimed at preventing illegally-caught fish from entering global markets.

In support of this global initiative, the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources continues to intensify its fisheries law enforcement and monitoring efforts through maritime operations, monitoring systems, high seas boarding inspections, and strengthened inter-agency cooperation. BFAR likewise promotes science-based fisheries management, that empower fisherfolk and coastal communities to become active partners in marine conservation.

Through these efforts, BFAR reaffirms its commitment to protecting the country’s fisheries resources, preserving marine biodiversity, and ensuring sustainable and lawful fishing practices for future generations.

| 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 – 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐮 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬

The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) takes note of the call made by Representative Kaka Bag-ao for the Bureau to disclose vessel monitoring system (VMS) data in relation to efforts to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The Bureau recognizes and supports the underlying intent of this call, particularly the use of information technology as an effective tool in strengthening fisheries enforcement and curbing IUU fishing. In fact, the Philippine government, through DA-BFAR, has long pursued this direction with the establishment and continued enhancement of the VMS as part of its broader monitoring, control, and surveillance system.

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: https://www.bfar.da.gov.ph/2026/05/29/statement-of-the-department-of-agriculture-bureau-of-fisheries-and-aquatic-resources-on-vessel-monitoring-and-data-sharing-practices/

The DA - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) proudly congratulates its dedicated employees who successfully passed the March 2026 Civil Service Examination — Professional and Subprofessional levels.

Your achievement is not only a personal milestone but also an inspiration to the whole agency.

May you continue to shine with excellence, passion, and dedication in public service — because every success you achieve is a success we all celebrate together.

𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐰 𝐧𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐧𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐌𝐊 2.0!

Mula sa mga baybaying-katubigan hanggang sa mga inland communities, ang Malinis at Masaganang Katubigan ay para sa inyo.

Tunghayan ang program launching ng MMK 2.0, bukas, alas-nuwebe ng umaga, via facebook livestream.

Tumutok. Makinig. At maging bahagi ng MMK 2.0!

𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐘 🔔

Please be advised that the DA-BFAR Central Office in Quezon City is 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 on 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟕, in observance of 𝐄𝐢𝐝'𝐥 𝐀𝐝𝐡𝐚 (Feast of the Sacrifice).

Regular operations will resume on 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟖.