The United States has joined the Philippines' efforts to  reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in Iloilo and ensure that only responsibly-sourced blue swimming crabs are marketed. 

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn joined partners from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) as well as from the private sector in expanding the agency’s Responsible Seafood Sourcing Program for blue swimming crabs.

Through the program, Washburn said, "businesses can consistently provide quality seafood products while ensuring the health of the marine environment and supporting the livelihoods of local fishing communities."

Under the Fish Right Program, USAID and BFAR will work together with the local community, the private sector and government partners to develop direct market linkages between fishers, hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets, according to the US Embassy in Manila.

The effort is aimed at growing the local market for responsibly-caught blue swimming crabs, creating livelihoods for fisherfolk and incentivizing sustainable fishing practices.

The agency's work with BFAR and the private sector to expand responsible seafood sourcing in Iloilo connects responsible fishers to Philippine seafood businesses, buyers, distributors, and communities and improves the transparency of the seafood supply chains.

Through USAID's support, crab fishers from Igbon Island are now able to supply whole chilled crabs to a hotel in Iloilo City, the embassy said.

The program will also help small fishers find new local markets to lessen their dependence on the volatile export market as the Philippines is a major exporter of blue swimming crab and is the second largest exporter of this species to the United States.