30/10/2026
𝐁𝐅𝐀𝐑 𝟖, 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐋𝐆𝐔𝐬 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐔𝐔 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐈-𝐅𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩
Assessing the prevalence and extent of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is an important step toward identifying targeted and long-term solutions to address these activities. With this in mind, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 8 conducted the IUU Fishing Index and Threat (I-FIT) Assessment Tool Workshop in Bobon, Northern Samar, on October 27–29, 2026.
Participating Local Government Units (LGUs) included Palapag, San Isidro, San Vicente, San Antonio, Victoria, and Allen. Representatives from their respective Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils (MFARMCs), Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAOs), Bantay Dagat teams, Fisherfolk Associations (FAs) and Philippine National Police (PNP)- Municipal Police Stations (MPS) participated in the three-day workshop to assess the prevalence of IUU fishing, identify factors that make their municipalities vulnerable to these activities, and evaluate existing response mechanisms.
The assessment identified several commonly reported IUU fishing activities in the participating municipalities, including fishing without a permit, commercial fishing vessel intrusion into municipal waters, fishing by individuals not registered as municipal fisherfolk in their respective LGUs, compressor fishing, the use of poisonous or noxious substances, and the use of superlights. Identifying these recurring violations allowed participants to determine the enforcement challenges and gaps that need to be addressed in their respective localities.
Based on the assessment, participating LGUs identified proposed solutions focusing on reviewing and amending outdated municipal fisheries ordinances, strengthening Fisheries Law Enforcement Teams (FLETs), and improving fisherfolk registration and licensing systems. Other priority measures include conducting training for fisheries law enforcers and barangay officials, intensifying information and education campaigns, strengthening coordination among LGUs, BFAR, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), MFARMCs, and fisherfolk associations, and establishing a database to monitor fish production and record fisheries violations.
Representatives from the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) and the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) also participated in the workshop, providing provincial-level insights and integrating the perspectives of the Provincial Government of Northern Samar into the assessment and proposed interventions.
“𝑀𝑎𝑢𝑝𝑎𝑦 𝑖𝑛𝑖 𝑘𝑎𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑠 𝑛𝑎𝑠𝑎𝑠𝑎𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑛 ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑚𝑔𝑎 𝐿𝐺𝑈 𝑘𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑜 𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑟𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑎𝑦 𝑏𝑢ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝑛𝑔𝑎𝑛 𝑘𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑜 𝑎𝑛 𝑚𝑔𝑎 𝑘𝑎𝑘𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑎𝑛 𝑛𝑔𝑎 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑎ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑛 𝑝𝑢𝑛-𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑖 𝑚𝑎𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑏𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑛𝑔𝑎𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑔𝑝𝑜 𝑎𝑛 𝐼𝑈𝑈 𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑎 𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑠𝑎-𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑠𝑎 𝑛𝑖𝑟𝑎 𝑛𝑔𝑎 𝑏𝑢𝑛𝑔𝑡𝑜,” shared Olpiana Juanico, representative of the Northern Samar Provincial Agriculture Office.
[“This is a positive development, as it enables the LGUs to better understand the specific actions they need to undertake and identify the gaps that must be addressed to effectively combat IUU fishing in their respective municipalities.”]
To support the implementation of the identified solutions, LGUs were encouraged to allocate funds for fisheries law enforcement, personnel training, equipment, and information campaigns. Developing alternative livelihood opportunities for affected fisherfolk and facilitating access to affordable licensing and registration were also recommended to encourage compliance with fisheries regulations and reduce dependence on illegal fishing practices. Regular dialogues with fisherfolk and accessible reporting mechanisms were likewise identified as important measures to strengthen community participation in fisheries management and protection.
The I-FIT Assessment Tool Workshop marked the initial implementation of the assessment in Northern Samar. In 2027, BFAR 8 through the Fisheries Management Regulatory and Enforcement Division (FMRED) and Provincial Fisheries Office (PFO) of Northern Samar targets to conduct similar workshops in the remaining LGUs covered by Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs) 2 and 7. Through these assessments, BFAR 8 aims to establish a clearer picture of IUU fishing activities across Eastern Visayas, help LGUs develop evidence-based and locally appropriate interventions, and strengthen coordination among local governments, communities, and fisheries law enforcement agencies to improve fisheries management and protect the region's aquatic resources.
