EAFM-EQUIPPED TAWI-TAWIANS PROVE SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES IS WITHIN GRASP

The Fisheries Management Areas (FMA) 4 introduced and steered a two-day planning workshop on the
Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) to the Tawi-Tawian representatives from the
various fisheries sector stakeholders and provincial/local government units last February 15-16, 2021 at
Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

The EAFM is a comprehensive management strategy that emphasizes the conservation and sustainable
utilization of the entire ecosystem, which includes marine and coastal ecology as well as their human
and natural resources. It is imperative to underscore that the FMA 4 will be implemented in accordance
with the EAFM's guidelines and strategies, which aims to achieve a healthy balance between the socio-
economic interests of people and the welfare of the environment through good governance and the use
of a scientifically sound, inclusive, and transparent framework for fisheries management at the
ecosystem scale.

The workshop proper revolved around the formulation of the EAFM Plan for Tawi-Tawi. The discussions
centered on the crafting of vision, identification of goals, issues, and concerns. Furthermore, the
participants were asked to develop objectives for each identified goal and the group were tasked to
classify the indicators and benchmarks in each objective. For the final output, the partakers where
tasked to enumerate management actions in plenary discussion. Mr. Christopher Ignacio, the FMA 4
Focal Person together with Ms. Divina Ignacio, NSAP Project Leader and Mr. Glenn Boleng, Alternate
FMA Focal, were the speaker-facilitators of the workshop.

The Municipal Councilor of Bongao, Honorable Hja. Tita Samsuya graced the said event and she gave an
opening remark on behalf of Honorable Bongao Mayor Mr. Jimuel S. Que. “The LGU has identified
numerous Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that has been initiated in partnership with the enforcement
units to lead the implementation of our fisheries rules and regulations” she expressed as she mentioned
that these MPAs has become one of the LGU's major projects. “We aim to enhance the protection of
these MPAs by continuously collaborating and partnering with stakeholders” she added since the FMA 4
will ultimately help conserve and preserve these protected areas. She ended her speech on a positive
note hopeful that the planning workshop will be successful and a step closer in achieving sustainable
fisheries especially in the Tawi-Tawi waters.

The seamless course of the planning workshop was made possible by the collaboration of the Bureau of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) IX as the lead region and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries,
and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) since BARMM is one of the four regions included in the FMA 4.
The officer-in-charge of the MAFAR-BARMM Tawi-Tawi Provincial Office, Dr. Aida T. Jumli, expressed her
message of inspiration to the attendees. She represented MAFAR-BARMM Tawi-Tawi Provincial Director
Mr. Aidarus Nami D.Ed. In her message, Dr. Jumli explained in a nutshell the mechanisms of the FMA 4
and she assured the group that the MAFAR in Tawi-Tawi will be in full support to strengthen the policy-
making for the betterment of the fisheries in East Sulu Sea.

The Division Chief of the Fisheries Resource Management Division (FRMD) of MAFAR, Mr. Hairodin T.
Arap was present during the two-day planning workshop. He delivered a short but concise speech on
how the said event will help in the institutionalization of the FMA 4. “So, if we are just harvesting our
fish in the ocean every day without any measure in protecting or properly managing it, then eventually it
will cost an imbalance that will result in the insufficient supply of fish and high price in our market” an
excerpt in his message that emboldened the participants to rethink and ponder. On the other hand, Ms.
Erlinda Puy, MFM, JD, the OIC-Chief of the Fisheries Management, Regulatory, and Enforcement Division
(FMRED) conveyed the closing remarks. She elucidated that the success of the 1st EAFM Planning
Workshop is attributable to the zestful and attentive participants who engaged proactively in every
discussion and activity which is essential in the ensuing output, that is the FMA 4 EAFM Plan.