Alburquerque, Bohol – Sixteen (16) LGU staff and members from the people’s organizations of the Eastern Poblacion Fisherfolk Association (EPFA) and Western Unified Fisherfolk Association (WUFA) completed the Sea Warden Deputation Training conducted from April 25 – 27, 2023 in Poblacion, Talimbao, Alburquerque, Bohol. The training concentrates on capacitating fish wardens on effective and efficient reinforcement of sea patrol in protecting municipal waters from illegal fishing and illegal commercial fishing. The training aspires to benefit a larger number of fishers and coastal stakeholders employing legal and sustainable methods and serves as the deterrent to those violating national and local laws. Ultimately, the training aims for the improvement of municipal fisheries management plan towards sustainable fishing practices. The topics covered by the training include the following:

 – Values and Ethics Formation;

 – Environmental Awareness thru its Basic Coastal Resource Management (CRM);

 – Highlights and Status of Municipal Ordinances ;

 – Duties and Responsibilities of a Deputy Fish Warden;

 – Fisheries Laws, Rules and Regulation: Salient Features of RA 8550 as amended by RA 10654;

 – Philippine Fishing Gear Identification;

 – Detection of Fish Caught with the Use of Explosives;

 – Sampling Procedure of Fishes Caught with the Use of Poisonous and Noxious Substances;

 – Basic Navigation, Chart Reading, Mapping and GPS Reading;

 – Mechanics of Apprehension and Aspects in Filling of Cases;

 – Boarding Procedures;

 – Briefing/Orientation on Market Inspection; and

 – Market Inspection: Standard Operating Procedure, Pre-Operation and Land Based Operation.

The training was facilitated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Region 7 (BFAR), Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime Group, the Local Government Unit of Alburquerque and the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (BCCI). ***The training aspires to achieve Result Area 1: Training for Fishermen and MSMEs and Result Area 4: Resource Protection of the FISH Visayas Project.