Agriculture Secretary William Dar speaks at the opening of the National Food Fisheries Summit (photo from da.gov,ph)
To ensure food security, Sec. William Dar of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said solutions in solving the many problems that the fisheries sector is currently facing should be based on science.
Speaking during the opening of the National Food Fisheries Summit last Friday, Dar instructed the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to coordinate with the National Security and those in the academe in helping small fisherfolk solve issues, starting off with wide spread poverty.
The secretary said, “Through this New Thinking, we want to harness the power of science and technology, research and development, and science-based solutions to address the challenges that plague the fishery sector.”
Dar bared his thrust to establish an ecosystem for marine, fisheries, and aquaculture that will foster economic ventures by utilizing smart technologies.
Dar regards this industry as the future source of sustainable food and supports the strategies which will push it towards its “New Wave of the Blue Revolution”.
The agriculture chief also shared his strong confidence that the P200-billion fisheries industry can achieve double its current value if the DA can come up and carry out the relevant strategies, plans and programs at the appropriate timing.
Dar also pointed out the importance of strictly implementing the laws governing fishery management saying, “Let’s be strong allies in the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) to promote the sustainability of our fisheries.” (Jojo Mangahis)