BFAR Fisheries Resources Management Division

𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐁𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐨. 𝟎𝟗
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
𝟐𝟗 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Shellfishes collected and tested from 𝐃𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐙𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐫, 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐙𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚 𝐒𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞; and 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐨 𝐁𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫; and 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧 are STILL POSITIVE for Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) or toxic red tide that is beyond the regulatory limit.

All types of shellfish and 𝑨𝒄𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒑. or alamang gathered from these areas are NOT SAFE for human consumption.

Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐮 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 -𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐁𝐅𝐀𝐑-𝐅𝐑𝐌𝐃), 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Fisheries Resources Management Division (BFAR–FRMD), in collaboration with the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines, is undertaking the project “Updating of the Philippine Aquatic Wildlife Response Manuals.” Implemented in partnership with the Solutions for Marine and Coastal Resilience in the Coral Triangle (SOMACORE) Programme of GIZ, the initiative aims to revise and strengthen the country’s national technical manuals covering response protocols for marine mammals, marine turtles and dugong, and sharks and rays.

Originally developed in 2014 through a collaboration among the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, and the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines, with support from the ACCCoast Project, the three-volume Aquatic Wildlife Rescue Response Manuals have served as a key reference for policies and procedures in responding to strandings and wildlife encounters across the Philippines. After more than a decade of implementation, the revision process seeks to incorporate updated policies, scientific knowledge, operational experience, and emerging threats to ensure that the manuals remain relevant, practical, and aligned with current conservation priorities.

The workshop will bring together technical experts and partner agencies to review the current manuals and assess their effectiveness, identify gaps and priority areas for revision, align the manuals with updated policies, science, and operational experience, and develop a clear roadmap for the revision process.

𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐅𝐀𝐑 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Fisheries Resources Management Division (BFAR–FRMD), in collaboration with the UK Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition (COAST) Programme, conducted the Workshop on Applied Oceanography for Fisheries Management on March 16–19, 2026, at B Hotel, Quezon City.

The four-day activity brought together key representatives from the DA–BFAR Central and Regional Offices to strengthen their practical understanding of how ocean observations, oceanographic analyses, and modeling can be applied to support science-based fisheries management. Participants engaged in discussions and collaborative exercises aimed at identifying feasible and sustainable pathways toward establishing an operational and repeatable decision-support process, reinforcing BFAR’s commitment to adaptive, data-driven, and climate-resilient fisheries management in the Philippines.

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝟒𝟕 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐄𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐄𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

Pagbilao, Quezon | The 1st batch of the BFAR Basic Fishery Law Enforcement Training Course (BFLETC) was successfully conducted from March 23 to April 1, 2026 at the BFAR Fishery Law Enforcement Training Facility, National Brackishwater Fisheries Technology Center (NBFTC) Compound, Pagbilao, Quezon.

A total of forty-seven (47) participants from the Central Office and Regional Offices completed the intensive ten-day training designed to strengthen foundational competencies in fisheries law enforcement. The program combined classroom instruction, practical exercises, and simulation activities to prepare participants for real-world enforcement duties.

Throughout the training, participants demonstrated discipline, teamwork, and commitment to public service while enhancing their knowledge and skills in the following key areas:
⚓ Enforcement of fisheries laws and regulations
⚓ Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) operations
⚓ Inspection and documentation procedures
⚓ Evidence handling and case preparation
⚓ Fisheries checkpoint, landing denial, and market denial operations
⚓ Operational safety and professional conduct

The successful completion of this training marks another significant step in strengthening fisheries law enforcement capability and advancing the protection and sustainable management of the country’s fisheries resources.

Special recognition was given to the following graduates for their exemplary performance during the training:
🏅 Outstanding Candidate (Top 1) – Alimar O. Sanchez (BFAR Region 10)
🏅 Outstanding Candidate (Top 2) – Jessa L. Carpio (BFAR MIMAROPA Region)
🏅 Outstanding Candidate (Top 3) – Mheljay D. Burlaza (BFAR Region 8)
🏅 Leadership Award – Alimar O. Sanchez (BFAR Region 10)
🏅 Physical Proficiency Award (Male) – Adrian John J. Ubanan (BFAR Region 10)
🏅 Physical Proficiency Award (Female) – Donna Rose F. Lampitao (BFAR CAR)
🏅 Biggest Loser Award – Ralph Rey T. Bautista (BFAR Region 13)

During the Closing Ceremony, Sir Roy C. Ortega, OIC, Fisheries Resources Management Division (FRMD) and BFLETC Training Director, formally declared the trainees as graduates of the Basic Fishery Law Enforcement Training Course.

Congratulations to all graduates for their dedication, perseverance, and readiness to serve. May you carry forward the responsibility to uphold the law, protect our marine resources, and serve the Filipino people with integrity and professionalism.

Protect the Resource. Enforce the Law. Serve the Nation.

We are hiring!

Positions: Aquaculturist II (COS/Pakyaw)
Salary Grade: SG 15
Office: Fisheries Resources Management Division
(BFAR- Central Office)
Field of Work: Fisheries Resource Management – Coastal and Offshore Fisheries Management

Qualifications:

BS Fisheries, BS Biology, or any related course
MS degree is an advantage but not required
At least 2 years relevant experience
BFAR Scholars are highly encouraged to apply

Application Requirements:

Application Letter addressed to:
ELIZER S. SALILIG, MFT
National Director
ATTN: ROY C. ORTEGA, OIC, FRMD
Transcript of Records
Diploma
Curriculum Vitae

Send applications to:
[email protected]
Cc:
[email protected]
[email protected]

Deadline of Submission: April 15, 2026

Thank you very much for your support in helping us reach qualified applicants.

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐘📢

In view of the nationwide transport strike, the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) shall implement a Work-from-Home (WFH) arrangement on March 26–27, 2026.

Regular onsite office hours shall resume on Monday, March 30, 2026.

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐌𝐀-𝟗

From March 9–11, 2026, key stakeholders from BFAR regional offices, and local government units gathered in Cagayan de Oro City for a focused workshop on developing the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Plan for Fisheries Management Area 9.

The activity brought together enforcement practitioners and technical experts to identify priority IUU fishing threats, analyze root causes through Fishbone Analysis, and design targeted MCS interventions to address gaps and barriers in enforcement.

Through collaborative discussions, the workshop produced:
✔️ A unified understanding of major IUU fishing issues in FMA-9
✔️ Integrated Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance strategies
✔️ Risk-based enforcement approaches across the fisheries supply chain
✔️ A comprehensive MCS Intervention Matrix to guide implementation

This initiative marks a significant step toward building an intelligence-driven and coordinated fisheries enforcement system—ensuring sustainable fisheries, stronger governance, and protection of coastal livelihoods in the Bohol Sea.