FMA 3 Region XII

78th anniversary

Month of the ocean

Mammal

Fishport

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Fisheries Management Area 3 stands out due to its strategic location in the biodiverse Sulu and Celebes Seas, which serve as critical fishing grounds for commercially important species like tuna and sardines. It is home to General Santos City, the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, and Zamboanga City, renowned as the Sardines Capital of the Philippines, both of which drive significant contributions to national and international fisheries markets. FMA 3 also benefits from the active participation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which brings a unique socio-political dynamic, fostering inclusive and collaborative fisheries management.

FMA 3

LEARN MORE

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What We Do

Our Core Services

From initial concept to final execution, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Going Beyond Borders

The ocean and everything in it are connected through the flow and properties of water and the interaction of organism.

Streaming Science

The FMA were established based on available science regarding fisheries range and distribution.

Collaborative Management

Local government units and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, together with various stakeholders within each FMA.

What are Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs)?

Fishery Management Areas or FMAs are areas (bay, gulf, lake or others) identified by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) as major fishing grounds based on stocks boundary/range/distribution, structure of fisheries and administrative subdivisions which integrate science-based, participatory and transparent governance framework and mechanism to sustainably manage fisheries in such areas to stop overfishing, fight illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing and promote food security and poverty alleviation in the Philippines.

Existing Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (IFARMC) and other Local Government Unit (LGU) alliances covered inside the subject FMA form part of the FMA as coalitions.

The municipal or city government retains jurisdiction over municipal waters within the FMA, while Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) continue to exercise jurisdictions beyond municipal waters and commercial fisheries.

Each FMA must create its own Management Body (MB) composed of multi-stakeholders from government, non-government institutions, fisheries sector, and where appropriate, Indigenous Peoples.

A scientific advisory group (SAG) must be established by the MB, from government, non-government, and academic institutions, to provide technical advice to the MB.

FMAs or sub-FMAs under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) will be governed by the Expanded NIPAS Act.

Concept Briefer

Fisheries Management Area 3

Fisheries Management Area 3 stands out due to its strategic location in the biodiverse Sulu and Celebes Seas, which serve as critical fishing grounds for commercially important species like tuna and sardines. It is home to General Santos City, the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, and Zamboanga City, renowned as the Sardines Capital of the Philippines, both of which drive significant contributions to national and international fisheries markets. FMA 3 also benefits from the active participation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which brings a unique socio-political dynamic, fostering inclusive and collaborative fisheries management.

THE FMA PLAN

The FMA plan should be based on the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management. This framework seeks to address the multiple needs of societies without jeopardizing the options for future generations to benefit from marine ecosystems services. It is a holistic approach that strives to balance ecological, human, and societal well-being, within improved governance frameworks.

The Management Body (MB) will establish Reference Points (RP), Harvest Control Rules (HCR) for the FMA.

Reference points provide guidance on determining whether stock abundance is too low or fishing pressure is too high. Reference points in a fishery include the limit or level that should be avoided; a target, which should be achieved or maintained; and, a buffer to avoid stock collapse.

Harvest Control Rules are a set of well-defined management actions that set, describe and adjust harvest rules and regulations based on stocks reference points.