Davao plans for stronger fishery law enforcement

The City Agriculturist Office (CAO) is seeking a P3-million budget to strengthen the implementation of national and local fishery laws intended to protect marine and coastal resources. The project will involve closer coordination among the Barangay Fishery Law Enforcement Team, police-maritime group, the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 11, the councils of the city’s coastal barangays, and the Barangay Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils. Rocelio T. Tabay, CAO assistant department head, said the project, which is part of the Fishery Resource Management Program, will help deter resource destruction and degradation. The Fisheries Code of the Philippines was amended in February through Republic Act 8550 while the city enforces its Comprehensive Fisheries Code passed in 2008.