The Bureau of fisheries and aquatic resources (BFAR) said the ultimate goal of the implementation of the amended fisheries code is to reduce poverty incidence. Republic act 8550 as amended by RA 10654 aims to counter illegal, unreported and regulated (IUU) fishing, particularly the catching of small fish. BFAR Director Asis G. Perez reported that the Fishery Sector recorded a poverty incidence of 39.2 percent in 2012, the highest in the country, based on Philippine Statistics Authority reports.

Conserva, L. H. (2015, October 28) Amended fisheries code eyes poverty reduction. The Daily Guardian, pp. 2, 10.