The Philippines’ bureau of fisheries and aquatic resources (BFAR) is mulling over the implementation of a catch-volume cap for fishermen, as part of the government’s bid to make sardine production sustainable, reports the Business Mirror.
One of the potential measures being considered is having the total allowable catch per group. There would be an allocation for larger fishing companies, as well as [a corresponding allocation] for the small-scale fisherfolk, said BFAR capture fisheries technology division chief Rafael Ramiscal.
The share or percentage allocation among small-scale and large-scale fishermen has not been finalized yet, and will be up for deliberation during nationwide consultations with various sardine industry stakeholders.
The management usually give privilege to small-scale fishermen, but we also have to consider the commercial ones as they are the large-scale players. The final sharing allocation will be finalized and formulated through the consultation.”
Ramiscal said another option being considered was the adoption of a transferrable quota, which allows fishermen to transfer their catch allocation to others.