The College of Fisheries (CF) continuously intensifies its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as it teamed up with the Freshwater Aquaculture Center (FAC) and Institute for Climate Change and Environmental Management (ICCEM) to conduct a webinar entitled, ”Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM): Engaging Stakeholders for Sustainable Resource use in Fisheries Management Areas (FMA)”, held via zoom on May 27, 2023.
The Fisheries Administrative Order No. 263 issued by the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) officially established 12 FMA in the Philippines based on the consideration of stocks boundary/range/distribution, structure of fisheries, as well as administrative divisions through stakeholder consultation. It described EAFM as a holistic approach to management that represents systems and decision-making processes that balance ecological well-being with human and societal well-being within improved governance frameworks.
Mr. Majen M. Cansinillo, the Officer-in-Charge of the Fisheries Resource Management Section of the BFAR - Regional Office 10, discussed the components and objectives of EAFM. He further mentioned the roles of stakeholders in the efficient implementation of the EAFM. He highlighted the message that, “you can’t manage what you can’t measure”.
This event was in support for the United Nation’s SDGs, specifically SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 13: Climate Action, and SDG 14: Life Below Water. The webinar was an initiative of the AREM 4255 – Coastal Resource Management class under Dr. Lorenz J. Fajardo, former head of ICCEM and now Acting Dean of CF. The activity was supported by Dr. Ravelina R. Velasco, the then Acting Dean of CF and now the Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs. Students, faculty members and staff from CF, FAC, and ICCEM also actively participated during the webinar.
