HB02465: AN ACT CREATING A DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES, PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
This bill proposes the creation of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR), separate from the Department of Agriculture.
The Philippines is the world's second-largest archipelagic state. It is a major fishing nation with abundant aquatic resources. However, overfishing and habitat degradation threaten the sustainability of its aquatic resources.
This bill aims to address these issues by creating a dedicated department focused solely on managing the country's aquatic resources. The DFAR would have jurisdiction over all fishery and aquatic resources of the country. It would be responsible for tasks such as implementing a comprehensive Fisheries Management Plan, regulating aquaculture, and conserving endangered marine species.
The creation of a separate department for fisheries underscores the importance of proper management of aquatic resources for food security and livelihood improvement, particularly in a country like the Philippines that is heavily dependent on its marine resources.