Surigao City, BFAR to step up ECOFISH program

By Annette Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, July 30 (PIA) -- The Surigao City Agriculture Office and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) planned to strengthened the Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries (ECOFISH) program.

During its meeting held recently at the CMO-Conference Room, City Mayor Ernesto Matugas said he issued a Memorandum Order for the suspension of permit for the hauling and banning the harvest of brown seaweeds locally known as “samo.”

Plans to be implemented in order to strengthen the ECOFISH program include the monitoring of illegal fishing, registration of local legitimate fisherman, and provide training for sustainable fishing.

The ECOFISH program is implemented by the Department of Agriculture through BFAR with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) that aims to protect the coastal marine resources and improved livelihood through sustainable fishing. (SDR/City PIO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)