MAFAR WRAPS UP WEEK-LONG FISHERIES CONSERVATION CELEBRATION
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform wrapped up the week-long Fisheries Conservation Week celebration at the MAFAR Covered Court, Bangsamoro Government Center, Cotabato City, Today, September 22.
During the closing program, Chief Aquaculturist Hairudin T. Arap, RFT, presented the remarkable accomplishments of the week-long FishCon Celebration and showcased the collaborative efforts of Fisheries Services from the regional, provincial, and municipal levels in promoting and preserving the rich aquatic resources of the region.
Reflecting on the demanding yet gratifying week-long activity, Director II for Fisheries Research and Regulatory Services Mohamadtaha S. Pendaliday, Ph.D., noted that the MAFAR served over one thousand beneficiaries throughout the week. “This is an accomplishment of MAFAR in delivering good services to our constituents,” he stated.
In his message, Minister Mohammad S. Yacob, Ph.D., congratulated the fisheries services and the participating communities for their outstanding achievements in advancing fisheries conservation.
Highlighting the Bangsamoro region as the country’s top fishing producer, Minister Yacob urged Fisheries Officers to explore and think of an innovative idea that not only secures the region’s volume of fisheries production but also gives a sustainable livelihood for the fisherfolks in the Bangsamoro Region.
“We need to think about how to make government services effective and efficient, with an investment return that ensures government income and guarantees the prosperity of our communities. Our main objective is to ensure fisherfolks no longer struggle to educate their children because they will have the means to do so,” Minister Yacob emphasized.
Furthermore, Minister Yacob stressed the Ministries’ strategic direction for fisheries services to strengthen research to determine the most suitable fish species for cultivation, enhance the operation of hatcheries to produce more fingerlings, further ensuring the sustainability of fisheries resources, and increase emphasis on law enforcement measures aims to safeguard and preserve aquatic ecosystems effectively.