Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya – Members of the Northern Pacific Seaboard (FMA1) Management Board convened for the 17th Regular meeting to discuss activities and direction of the management body which was presided by Dr. Angel B. Encarnacion, Chairperson of FMA1 Eagle Hall DENR-CENRO Aritao, Darapidap, Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya last June 26, 2025.
The meeting agenda include presentation of the draft on the composition and functions of the Fisheries Management Area 1 Technical Working Group; updates on the final schedule on the roll out of the Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing Index and Threat Assessment Tool in areas within the FMA1.
Likewise, updates on the legal designation process of Philippine Rise Ocean Conservation Area (PROCA) establishment and the formation TWG for the designation of PROCA; status of marine resources in Region 02; capability training for diving instructor and scientific survey; attendance to IFARMC sectoral meetings; schedule of election of regional sectoral and FMA1wide sectoral representatives, schedule of 18th MB meeting with Global Environment Facility (GEF) back-to-back training for the MB Members, Secretariat and SAG on September 08-12, 2025 and other important matters were discussed in the meeting.
Meantime, the meeting host, Dr. Gwendolyn Bambalan, Regional Executive Director of DENR expressed her gratitude to the FMA1 management body for joining the environment department led tree-planting activity in observance of the Arbor Day. She emphasized the importance of restoring ecosystems and promoting the importance of trees for a healthy environment.
The meeting was attended by interim Technical Working Group, Secretariat, concerned PFOs from Regions 02, 03, 4-A, 05 and CAR, staff of DENR Region 2 as well as Resource Persons from ZSL-Philippines and UPLB.
The FMA1-MB meeting concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to sustainable and collaborative fisheries governance. The outcomes of the meeting lay a solid foundation for continued progress in managing FMA 1 effectively and responsibly. (A. Cristobal, FMRED/PROCA)
