As the primary agency for fishery research tasked with providing a hub for intensive training and skill-building, the DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), through its Training Division, provided Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points to fisheries professionals who attended the online “FishKwela: Fishing Boat and Gear Identification” on June 28, 2024.

Of the thousands of attendees, 444 fisheries professionals received 2.0 CPD points.

The topics included the classification of locally used fishing gear employed in the country’s fishing grounds and the differences between municipal and commercial fishing boats. It highlighted the identified illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing gear and discussed an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management. The research results from the preliminary inventory of fishing boats and gear in Manila Bay were also presented.

The resource speakers included Joeren Yleaña from the Capture Fisheries Division of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), along with NFRDI researchers Ronnie Romero from the Planning, Policy, and Information Division, and James Lee Abad from the Capture Fisheries Research and Development Division.

In her message, NFRDI Executive Director Lilian Garcia expressed gratitude to the stakeholders for their ongoing support of NFRDI’s research and development efforts. She encouraged the participants to actively engage in the discussion to bridge the gap between research and practice, noting that this would enable NFRDI-developed technologies to be widely disseminated and benefit a larger audience.

Also present were Training Division Chief Dr. Mudjekeewis Santos and Training Section Chief Norvida Gatdula, who delivered the opening and closing messages, respectively.

NFRDI is recognized by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) as a CPD provider for fisheries. FishKwela, NFRDI’s training program, aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of external clients to advance the country’s fisheries sector. ### (Lea Mae dela Cruz)