The Medium-Term Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan is a national policy with a multi-sectoral approach. The timeframe of this policy is 5 years covering the period between 2016 and 2020. In order to ensure sustainable and competitive fisheries industry, the targets of the Plan include: (I) sufficient contribution to national food security, (II) inclusive growth within the industry, (III) sustainable, science-based fisheries and aquatic resource management practices, (IV) compliance to international laws, policies and standards, and enforcement of local laws and regulations, (V) strengthened capacities in infrastructure, technologies, human resource and information sharing, and (VI) resilience to environmental hazards. Capture fisheries will be developed by determining new fishing grounds in inland and marine waters and expanding the access to fishing grounds. The partnership with the Local Government Units will be strengthened to open/re-open fishing grounds for ornamental fishes harvesting using sustainable, equitable and legal means. Philippine vessels in distant waters will be protected through presence of whiteship. Information, education and communication activities on resource conservation measures and compliance with fishery laws will be intensified to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing. Coastal land and water uses will be delineated to resolve conflicting uses with comprehensive land use plan. Science-based conservation and management measures will be implemented to rehabilitate domestic stocks. The introduction and containment of invasive alien species will be prevented. Fishery habitats, such as mangroves, sea grasses, coral reefs, wetland and inland water bodies, will be restored through protection and rehabilitation, including pollution control. Spawning grounds and cycles will be protected through research and participatory process. Inter-Local Government Unit Integrated Coastal Resource Management Plan will be developed based on participatory community resource assessment. The use of appropriate and updated technology and fishing gears and boats/vessels will be promoted. Registered fisherfolk multi-purpose cooperatives and associations will be strengthened to enhance access to financial services and livelihood opportunities and other purposes especially for municipal fisherfolks. The areas which are managed by women will be identified and established. The licensing of boats/vessels and gears, including catch documentation requirement, will be improved to improve reporting compliance. This Plan lays down strategies for aquaculture development. Quality fry/seed supply will be secured through coordinated investments in propagation facilities. Good aquaculture practices for key commodities will be institutionalized and sustainable aquaculture will be promoted. The quality and traceability of aquaculture inputs and outputs will be assured. Special emphasis will be given on investing in species with high commercial potential and the shift to the coastal marine environment for aquaculture expansion. The resilience of the aquaculture sector to disasters and the impacts of climate change will be increased. Fisheries post-harvest and cold chain technology and facilities will be improved to reduce post-harvest losses due to poor handling and sanitation. The compliance of fishing establishments to relevant national and international regulations will be improved. The production of value-added products from fish and fishery by-products/processing wastes, will be increased. Fishery-based livelihood and entrepreneurial programs will be increased and strengthened in coastal communities to alleviate poverty. Consistent policies on granting of incentives and easier access to credits to all domestic or national companies and on grants to foreign companies in relation to post-harvest fisheries, will be formulated and implemented. The quantity and value of traded fish and fishery products for domestic export will be increased by: (I) expanding the market for sustainable fish and fishery products, (II) ensuring the availability of sufficient supply in food fish deficient area, (III) increasing the number of capacitated/competitive fishery-based micro-, small- and medium-scale enterprises that can enter the market, (IV) establishing a comprehensive market information system, and (V) strengthening the enforcement of laws, policies and regulations related to trade and marketing.
Philippines · 2016-01-01