DTI and USAID tie up for Fish Right program

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have began the implementation of the Fish Right program which aims to link organized fishers’ groups and incentivize the adoption of responsible fishing practices in coastal communities.

“DTI is in constant partnership with organizations such as USAID and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to meet the needs of our fishing communities in MIMAROPA,” said DTI MIMAROPA Regional Director Joel B. Valera.

“As the economic arm of the state, DTI’S role is to improve the lives of these fisherfolk and their families through livelihood and technology assistance, and this, subsequently, contribute to fisheries management and climate resilience in rural areas,” Valera added.

From April 27 to 29, representatives from the DTI, USAID, BFAR and local government units gathered in Busuanga and Culion, Palawan for an on-site Fish Right planning and site visit to the proposed beneficiaries.

The pilot batch of people’s association identified and assessed for the program include the Busuanga Federation of Fisherfolk and Farmers Associations, Busuanga Gender Network, Bogtong Fish Processors Association, 3BG (Barangay Bogtong Bantay Gubat), Baldat Fisherfolk and Farmers Association, and the Barangay Quezon MPA Management Council.

DTI’S Legal Services Assistant Secretary Joan Karen A. Riola, Resource Generation and Management Service Director Lydia R. Guevarra, and Knowledge Management and Information Service Patricia May M. Abejo supervised the onsite ocular and planning activity.

Apart from this, the DTI representatives have also conducted an information session on the agency’s programs and services for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMES) during their visit.

In the next two years, the program aims to develop value-added products based on actual industry needs and in support of strengthening local food security, mainstream ecosystem-approach to fisheries management (EAFM) and responsible seafood sourcing (RSS) in business operations, and scale-up by creating more fish consolidation hubs.