SP Oks MOA with BFAR, fisherfolk assn for fish cage project

THE 19th City Council during its regular session Monday presided over by Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy enacted an ordinance authorizing the City Mayor Oscar S. Moreno to enter into and sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-10 (BFAR) and with the Gusa Seaside Fisherfolk Association (Beneficiary) covering the grant of fish cage (Norwegian cage).

The agreement aims to improve fish production through sustainable fishing practices thus enhancing food security.

It also supports RA 11321 otherwise known as Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program or Sagip Saka Act.

Under the MOA, the BFAR shall provide one unit 10-meter diameter High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) circular fish cage for milkfish grow-out culture, feeds, and bangus fingerlings to the identified beneficiary through the city for the first cropping only.

It shall also provide one unit 23-footer Motorized Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Boat with 7 HP Marine Gasoline Engine with complete accessories and assemblage (outrigger, outrigger beam and paddle) as service boat for caretaker/watchman and transport of feeds from land base to the cage.

Moreover, BFAR shall coordinate with the city in the selection of qualified and registered fisherfolk association as beneficiary and submit to BFAR Central Office after validation, conduct environmental assessment and recommend a site for the establishment of the fish cage, among others.

For its part, the city shall identify and endorse qualified and registered fisherfolk association/cooperative beneficiary to BFAR 10, assist in the awarding and distribution of the project to identified beneficiary, among others.

Finally, the Gusa Seaside Fisherfolk Association shall provide counterparts (labor, security services, operation and management of fish cage) and proper storage area for feeds to avoid spoilage.

It shall also undergo training on fish cage culture and cage maintenance, exercise the operation and management of the project, assign/designate a permanent caretaker and watchman for the cage project, among others.

The legislation was reviewed and endorsed by the committees on fisheries and aquatic resources and on laws and rules chaired by Councilors Zaldy O. Ocon and Ian Mark Q. Nacaya, respectively.