Three fisher's groups in Region 1 to receive 62-footer fishing boat

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Oct. 4 (PIA) - - The groups of fishermen in the three provinces of Region 1 will be receiving each a 62-footer fishing boat from the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), according to BFAR Region 1 OIC Director Rosario Segundina Gaerlan.

 

Gaerlan said the three fishing boats, which are now readied for transport to Region 1 from Navotas, Metro Manila will boost the fish catch by the local fishermen.

 

“We are expecting that the three fishing boats, which are considered as mother fishing boats due to its big size, will be arriving in the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Pangasinan before the end of October this year,” said Gaerlan.

 

The model of the 62-footer fishing vessel was designed by the DA-BFAR through the initiative of Agriculture Secretary William Dar to boost the capability of the  fishermen all over the country.

 

The fishing vessel is equipped with a fish hold hatch and chiller supported with four units “Pakura” or small fishing boat, which will serve as catcher boats.

 

“The local fishermen' associations in the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Pangasinan will manage the operation of the 62-footer fishing boat,” she said.

 

She added, "the new model of DA-BFAR fishing boat will help the fisherfolks in the region to become more self-sufficient".

 

The fishing vessel is expected to enable the local fishers to explore fishing grounds beyond the 15-kilometer boundary at the shore.

 

Compared to the 32-footer boats previously developed by BFAR, which limits the area of coverage to 5-8 kilometers only, the bigger vessels can cover a wider area of municipal waters.

 

According to Gaerlan, the 62-footer fishing boat model can also withstand rough seas, and may be used as Patrol Boat under the Bantay Dagat initiative.

 

Meanwhile, Secretary Dar said that he initiated the re-modeling of the BFAR fishing boats as part of his banner program on clustering the fishery subsectors.

 

Dar said the clustering and consolidating is not only for crops and livestock but also for the fisherfolks’ subsectors to come together and to perform collective actions for growth and development.

 

The secretary encouraged the fishery stakeholders to adapt the Big Brother, Small Brother concept for equitable development. (JCR/FGL, PIA 1)

 

Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)