La Trinidad, Benguet | With the aim of strengthening compliance, regulation, and resource management, of our fisheries sector, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), through its FishCoRe Project under the FishCRRM subcomponent 1.3 or the Strengthening Management of Coastal Resources in Municipal Waters, conducted a two-day Training of Trainers (ToT) on the Philippine Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Index and Threat Assessment Tool (I-FIT) on March 18–19, 2026, at La Trinidad Fish Farm and the BFAR Cordillera Hall.
According to Ms. Carmelita Bolla, FMRED Chief, the urgency of strengthening enforcement and collaborative governance to address the continuing challenges of illegal fishing materialized the activity.. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa pag-attend niyo dito kasi i-elaborate nila kung paano ka-importante [angI-FIT Tool] sa ating sustainable development for the fisherfolk management ng ating katubigan,” Bolla expressed.
Through this activity, Provincial Fishery Officers and Fishery Law Enforcement personnel from the six provinces across Cordillera Administrative Region who actively participated to increase their technical capacity in assessing and addressing IUU fishing in their respective local government units (LGUs). It also urged the adoption of the I-FIT Tool as a standardized and systematic framework for identifying risks and formulating targeted interventions.
Ms. Abegail G. Fabriguel, BFAR-CO ERMCSOC Staff, presented the overview of the I-FIT Tool that serves as a comprehensive diagnostic and planning mechanism that evaluates IUU fishing in a certain area. Through the IFIT’s three key components such as the prevalence, vulnerability, and response are integrated into a single IUU Fishing Index, enabling fisheries managers to measure risk levels, establish baselines, and track progress over time.
Moreover, she explained the tool’s three major components, namely the IUU Fishing Assessment Guide, the IUU Fishing Index, and the IUU Fishing Reduction Planning Guide. The IUU Fishing Assessment Guide serves as the diagnostic stage, where participants assess the prevalence, vulnerability, and response to IUU fishing using structured indicators and scoring systems. The IUU Fishing Index, on the other hand, represents the measurement stage, where the results of the assessment are consolidated and translated into a standardized index score that reflects the level of IUU fishing risk. Lastly, the Reduction Planning Guide serves as the action stage, where assessment results are used to develop targeted and time-bound interventions.
Participants further deepened their analysis through problem tree and fishbone exercises, complemented by the “5 Whys” technique to determine root causes of IUU fishing in their respective provinces. These activities culminated in the computation of IUU Fishing Index scores, providing a clear and standardized measure of risk across areas. “We can never solve a problem if we are not willing to accept that there is a problem,” she said, relating it to the quote of Albert Einstein regarding the activity wherein the participants assess actual problems or challenges in their own provinces.
The second day shifted to action planning, where participants translated assessment results into concrete strategies. Guided by BFAR Region 10 ERMCSOC Chief Junrey Salinas, each group developed one- to three-year IUU Fishing Reduction Plans, outlining priority interventions, timelines, and responsible offices.
Findings from the training highlighted that IUU fishing remains a pressing concern in several municipalities, driven largely by poverty, limited livelihood opportunities, gaps in enforcement, and low awareness of fisheries regulations. While existing initiatives are in place, participants identified the need to strengthen coordination, enhance monitoring systems, and intensify community engagement.
The generated IUU Fishing Index now serves as a vital baseline for LGUs, supporting evidence-based decision-making and enabling more responsive fisheries management strategies.
FishCRRM 1.3 Focal Person Pia C. Gundan expressed appreciation for the participants’ active engagement and reaffirmed BFAR’s commitment to empowering local fisheries managers in the collective fight against illegal fishing.
Through initiatives like the I-FIT Training of Trainers, BFAR continues to reinforce its mission of ensuring sustainable fisheries, strengthening law enforcement, and safeguarding aquatic resources for future generations. This likewise aligned to the FishCoRe project’s Fisheries and Coastal Resilient Resource Planning and Management in support of FMA institutional and planning development for the coastal and municipal waters of FMA 6, maximizing ecological and socioeconomic benefits and building resilience in coastal communities.//
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