Philippines signs sustainable fisheries management deal with Palau

THE PHILIPPINES and Palau have signed an agreement to manage their fisheries more sustainably, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

The parties to the agreement — the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Palau’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Environment involves fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, promoting technology sharing, and advancing fisheries infrastructure development.

The agreement involves collaborating in conserving highly migratory fish stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, which is home to commercially important fish species such as tuna and billfish.

A joint committee will oversee the agreement’s implementation, with senior officials meeting annually to plan, monitor, and assess progress.

“The MoU sets the foundation for future collaboration through detailed implementation frameworks,” the DA said.

“It is designed to be reviewed in five years, providing both countries with the flexibility to adapt to shifting needs and emerging priorities,” it added. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza