On December 4, 2020, Dr. Ravelina R. Velasco, Acting Dean of the Central Luzon State University-College of Fisheries (CLSU-CF) was elected to the Management Body as Academe Representative of Fisheries Management Areas (FMA) 6. Dr. Velasco took her oath of office virtually on May 7, 2021, together with other sector representatives with Commodore Eduardo B. Gongona, Undersecretary for Fisheries and Concurrent National Director of Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) as led.
The DA-BFAR issued a Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO 263) on January 28, 2019, establishing the 12 FMA of the Philippine waters. This was supported by another memorandum from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued on July 9, 2020.
FAO defines FMA as a bay, gulf, lake or any other fishery area which may be delineated for fisheries resource management purposes. Each FMA has a Management Body chaired by the Regional Director of the BFAR and co-led by the Local Government Unit (LGU). The board is also represented by key stakeholders within the FMA from various sectors namely commercial and municipal fisheries, aquaculture, processors, traders and market organization, academe, indigenous people, non-government organization, the Protected Area Management Board and the Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils.
Each FMA has a Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) composed of scientists, researchers, or technical representatives from the BFAR Regional Offices through its National Stock Assessment Program (NSAP), academic institutions, LGUs, commercial and municipal fisheries, aquaculture and non-government organizations. The main function of SAG is to provide technical advice to the Management Board based on best available data from NSAP results and catch documentation at the municipal level. Dr. Alvin T. Reyes, also from CLSU-CF, was elected as alternate SAG member representing the academe.
