PASACAO, Camarines Sur – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Bicol is preparing for the possible impact to the fishing sector in the region of the El Niño phenomenon.

BFAR-Bicol Director Ariel Pioquinto told the Manila Bulletin that they have been working with the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) as part of the contingency plan to ease the impact of the weather phenomenon to the agri-fisheries sector in region.

“Nakikipag-ugnayan kami dito sa grupo ng DRRM and then sa mga opisyal ng DA. ‘Yung details siguro iba-ibang component, siguro puwede kong ma-discuss, but siguro pure ganun na lang para makapagbigay tayo nung immediate na assistance. Kasi may component ‘yan na program. Halimbawa sa aquaculture nagka-problema, kasi unpredictable, masyadong mainit sa kabila tapos dun sa kabila umuulan," Pioquinto said.

Pioquinto said that the province of Camarines Sur is already experiencing dry season which affects the aquaculture livelihood of the fishing sector.

"Ang tatamaan nito masyado sa atin ay hindi itong captured fisheries kundi itong aquaculture. ‘Yung mga fishponds. So kung ‘yung watershed na source ng tubig sa fishpond ay bumaba apektado ‘yun. Isa pa kung ‘yung mga fishponds areas na ang kontrol ng tubig ay hindi masyadong maganda ‘yung management ay puwedeng maakpektuhan," he said.

He assured that once El Niño worsens, BFAR-Bicol's countermeasure to lessen the impact is ready in order to ensure enough supply of fish in the region. "Mayroon po kaming program sa DRRM with regards to the El Niño," he said.

Pioquinto disclosed that the food sufficiency in the region is still high but there been a decline of fish catch due to climate change. "Sa Bicol region ‘yung sufficiency ay mataas pero medyo declining ng konti but still nasa level pa naman na tama. Ang tinitingnan natin is kung bababa tayo we cannot help other areas or region na maka-augment tayo dun sa pangangailangan nila," he said.