The Fisheries Management Area was formally established in the Philippines through the Fisheries Administrative Order No. 263 issued by the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Consists of 12 management areas, the FMAs are bays, gulfs, lakes or any other fishery areas or bodies of waters that are delineated based on the scientific study of fish stocks for the purpose of transparent and participatory fisheries management or governance. 

The FMA aims to provide science-based, participatory, and transparent governance framework and mechanism to sustainably manage fisheries; uphold ecosystems approach to fisheries management anchored on food security; provide opportunities for supplementary livelihood for poverty alleviation consistent with the objectives of the Amended Fisheries Code; and ensure cooperation between local governments and national agencies and stakeholders.

The FMA1 which covers the Northern Pacific Seaboard of the country comprises regions 2, 3, 4A, 5 and the Cordillera Administrative Region wherein the DA-BFAR Region 02 serves as the lead region of the management body has an area of concern of about 50, 534, 500 hectares.

Covering 19 major fishing grounds, it composed of 102 municipalities and cities from 11 provinces delineated for the management area.  

By 2040, the FMA1 envisions to have a dynamic and sustainable climate-resilient fisheries management area to ensure food security and optimum economic benefit to its empowered stakeholders through participatory and responsible management as embodied in the FMA 1 Plan.