The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) seeks a P6.6-billion budget in 2016, the bulk of which would be spent on programs to combat illegal, unreported, and uncontrolled fishing (IUUF), as supported by the recently passed Amended Fisheries Code. BFAR National Director Asis G. Perez said one of the key components of the campaign against IUUF would be an information drive among fisherfolk on the said code, Republic Act (RA) No. 10654, as a study indicates that majority of violations are due to “non-awareness” of the law. “About 70% of the violators are ignorant of the law, 20% are opportunistic criminals, while the 10% are committed with intent,” Mr. Perez said during the opening on Tuesday of the two-day National Media Conference on RA 10654 in Manila.

Carillo, C. A., & Conserva L. H. (2015, October 29). BFAR angling for P6.6-B budget, off-books fishers. BusinessWorld, p. S1/5.