CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Central Luzon is stepping up efforts to boost the fishery and aqua-culture industry in the region in the midst of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Aside from distributing various livelihood assistance in the fishery sector, the BFAR is conducting free fisheries and aquatic-related e-learning to enhance the skills and knowledge of the fisherfolk and fish traders on technologies for increased income.
BFAR Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz said they have lined up a series of webinars to provide comprehensive learning experience to those individuals in the fishery and aqua-culture industry amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said free e-learning courses could help individuals who are planning to put up business in the fisheries and aquatic industry, as well as students, professionals, or fish enthusiasts who want to enhance their knowledge on culturing specific fish species and aquatic resources.
So far, the BFAR has conducted webinars on processing of value-added products and polyculture of tilapia and ulang (prawn).
Cruz said the value-added activities such as processing and preserving of fish are among the interventions being pursued by the agency to cut post-harvest losses.
“Almost 40 percent ay nauuwi sa post-harvest losses. So, instead na masayang ay ating pinipilit na maging makabuluhan ang mga isda at ma-transform natin sa ibang products na pwede nating pakinabangan at ma-preserve para sa ating mga consumers at mamayan (Almost 40 percent end up in post-harvest losses. So, instead of letting them wasted, we are trying to make the fish useful and transform them into other products that are beneficial to us and preserve for our consumers and the people),” he said in his opening message before the start of a webinar.
Cruz said one of the directives of Agriculture Secretary William Dar is to strengthen the agricultural and fishery sectors by putting up various post-harvest facilities.
So far, he said that there are 26 fish landing centers in Central Luzon to address problems on post-harvest losses.
He said that part of the initiative is teaching the fisherfolk post-harvest technologies through the conduct of webinars.
The BFAR said registration for the free webinars is on a first come, first served basis as only 100 participants will be provided with e-certificates. (PNA)
