Promote responsible fishing, Seafdec urges countries

A unit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is pushing for concerted efforts to promote responsible fishing methods that will help ensure food security throughout the region.

Following a meeting last Friday, the Asean Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (Seafdec) passed resolutions that call for the implementation of effective management of fisheries through an ecosystem approach.

Such approach refers to practices that manage resources with the aim of increasing social and economic benefits.

In particular, Seafdec wants selected management functions delegated to local governments, while encouraging joint management of fisheries resources between governments and relevant stakeholders.

Linglingay F. Lacanlale, Philippine ambassador to Thailand, represents the Philippines in Seafdec.

Seafdec’s resolutions came in the wake of fishkills that devastated fish farmers operating in Batangas and Pangasinan.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that farmers in the two provinces have lost at least P190 million due to the fishkills.

While experts attributed the cause of the problem to rising water temperatures, filling fish pens beyond capacity was also cited as another reason.

Seafdec noted that aquaculture must be developed for food security and sustainable livelihoods.

It said it would “promote cooperation among member countries and with international and regional organizations in encouraging responsible aquaculture practices through joint research, technology transfer and human resource development.”—Ronnel W. Domingo