Did you know that recent studies revealed that Scombridae (tuna larvae) species are abundant in Batanes-Polillo waters and diverse in the West Philippine Sea, and that one of the most valuable fishes in the country is tuna? According to reports, the Philippines is the third largest tuna producer, but their stocks continue to decline due to climate change and unsustainable and illegal fishing.
With the aim to ensure the protection of the remaining wildlife in its habitats by supporting coastal resources management initiatives, the Environmental Justice Sector Reform in the Philippines (EJSRP) project implemented capacity building programs for local government officials of Palawan, Pangasinan and Zambales, and turned over 20 fiberglass boats for patrolling, 20 sets of law enforcement materials, and 20 sets of mangrove planting materials during its first phase of implementation. This effort strengthened law enforcement capacity of locals in monitoring their waters for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF).
For the second phase of its implementation, the EJSRP project will support pawikan conservation projects, protection of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and enrichment and rehabilitation of mangrove areas and beach forests in La Union, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Batanes, Palawan, and Pangasinan.