TACLOBAN CITY – To develop the fishery potential and preserve its marine ecosystem, the provincial government of Northern Samar and municipal local government units in the Balicuatro Area through the San Bernardino LGU Alliance-Northern Samar (SaBELANS) have forged a partnership with Oceana, an international non-profit organization focused on ocean conservation.

OCEANA
Also in collaboration with the Center for Sustainable Aquaculture and Agri-based Innovations (CENSAAI), the partnership aims to generate baseline data to study the province's fisheries sector towards promoting sustainable practices and informed policies.
Funded by Oceana through CENSAAI as its research arm, the study aims to generate baseline and information on post-harvest fish losses and fish consumption in selected coastal communities along the Samar Sea, particularly in Northern Samar along San Bernardino Strait, Samar bays, and channels.
Ronelie Salvador, executive director of CENSAAI, underscored the importance of harnessing the province's potential to establish a model for responsible fisheries management and contribute to Northern Samar's comprehensive development.
Samar Sea is one of the major fishing grounds in the Philippines connected to the Philippine Sea by the San Bernardino Strait bordered in the east by several bays, gulfs, and channels such as Maqueda Bay and Villareal Bay covering part of the Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 7.
Oceana Vice President lawyer Gloria Ramos emphasized the significance of implementing the National Sardines Management Plan in the province, especially in strategic areas such as the San Bernardino Strait, to ensure the long-term sustainability of marine life and fisheries in Northern Samar.
The NSMP, developed by BFAR, employs science-based fisheries management practices.