The supply of fish in Western Visayas (WV) is adequate, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-6).

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), BFAR-6 regional director Remia Aparri noted that the region is 114 percent fish sufficient.

“So far we haven’t experienced fish shortage in the region. We can provide for our needs because we are 114 percent sufficient,” she told reporters.

In fact, Aparri said “we are capable” of sending fish products to regions with insufficient supply.

According to the regional director, the Visayan Sea, Panay Gulf, Guimaras Strait, and the Sulu Sea are WV’s major fishing grounds.

Last year, the region, through the agency’s Oplan Isda, was able to ship around 10 metric tons of fish to Metro Manila.

The Oplan Isda initiative aims to establish a “strong direct link between producers and the sellers of fish commodities and to provide an additional supply of fishery commodities at an affordable price to the fish deficient areas in the country.”IMT

Photo by Discover Antique, Philippines