THE United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to improve the country’s fisheries sector.
“Under this partnership, USAID and the DA’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will work together to support the conservation and rehabilitation of habitats for fishery resources; institute reforms to address overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; and incentivize conservation through private-sector engagement,” the US Embassy in the Philippines said in a statement posted on its website on Thursday.
The new initiative is in line with the Philippine government’s priority to improve fisheries management and conservation, and is seen to directly benefit resource-poor farmers and fishers.
The partnership also seeks to help national and local governments adopt an “ecosystem-based approach” to fisheries management.
“Our two countries share an enduring partnership in the areas of sustainable fisheries and marine biodiversity conservation. I am proud to say that our relationship grows stronger over time as we learn from each other and find more ways to collaborate around our shared goals,” US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava said.
The MoU will be implemented under the five-year Development Objective Grant Agreement for Enhanced Ecosystem and Community Resilience of the USAID and the National Economic and Development Authority. — A.Y. Yang
