With nets cast toward a more sustainable future, leaders and stakeholders from across Capiz, gathered to guide the province’s fisheries and aquaculture development, as the Provincial Government, through the Provincial Agriculturist Office (OPA), together with DOST Capiz, partners from various national government agencies, Capiz State University, and local government units, convened the session of “Strengthening Fisheries and Aquaculture Governance in Capiz,” aimed at institutionalizing a provincial planning committee and crafting a strategic roadmap for growth.

The meeting initiated the development of the Provincial Fisheries and Aquaculture Strategic Roadmap highlighting key concerns from various coastal LGUs such as limited resources, aquaculture production constraints, fisheries enforcement challenges, and post-harvest gaps that require coordinated interventions. Mr. Alvin D. Beltran, Senior Aquaculturist of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Provincial Field Office in Capiz (BFAR6-PFO) also presented current issues and concerns in the sector and the concerned agency initiatives generated during the 1st Provincial Fisheries Summit. Mr. Ryan Vilmor J. Dumpit, Assistant Provincial S&T Director of DOST Capiz also presented available science and technology support to further strengthen fisheries and aquaculture development in the province.

The session further focused on the institutionalization of the Provincial Fisheries and Aquaculture Planning and Development Committee (PFAPDC) and its Technical Working Group (TWG) as key coordinating and advisory bodies for the sector. Also present was Board Member Gilbert Ardivilla, Chair of the Provincial Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries, who expressed his support for the initiative. The discussion, led by Ms. Ramie Lyn Banares, Aquaculturist II of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA)–Capiz, centered on the drafting of a resolution that will define the committees’ structure, roles, and functions, ensuring a coordinated, multi-sectoral, and sustainable approach to fisheries and aquaculture governance in the province. The meeting ended with a message from Ms. Juafe M. Abareles, Provincial S&T Director of DOST Capiz, who assured continued support for the sector through DOST’s programs.

Overall, the session served as a critical step toward strengthening fisheries and aquaculture governance in Capiz by institutionalizing key coordinating bodies, initiating a unified strategic roadmap, and aligning identified sectoral needs with available science and technology support to guide sustainable and inclusive development efforts. (LNGGebauer, GRMarcon/DOST Capiz)

#DOST6 #ONEDOST4U #CapizPSTO