Oceana Philippines has welcomed the move of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to declare the country’s major fishing grounds as fisheries management areas (FMAs) as it cited the need for proper conservation. BFAR recently issued Fisheries Administrative Order 263, which established 12 FMAs. “In the past, the government divided our waters into fishing grounds. With the declaration, we are focusing on conservation and participatory management,” Oceana Philippines vice president Gloria Ramos said.

Oceana lauds BFAR’s declaration of fisheries management areas. (2019, February 10). The Philippine Star, p. B4.