As one of the implementation partners of the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) project, the DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) participated in a roadshow organized by the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) National Capital Region on July 4, 2024 in Cubao, Quezon City.

Dr. Maria Theresa Mutia, Scientist I and Chief Science Research Specialist of the Freshwater Fisheries Research and Development Center (FFRDC) represented NFRDI Executive Director Lilian Garcia during the activity. Also present were BFAR NCR Director Noemi Lanzuela, FishCoRe Project Alternate Focal Nonie Enolva, FishCore Alternate Focal for FMA 6 Neil Kenneth Catibog (representing BFAR 3 Director Wilfredo Cruz), and other stakeholders and partners.

The roadshow served as a platform to raise awareness among stakeholders and to encourage collaboration and participation in FishCoRe project’s upcoming activities. This event also marked the official launch of FishCoRe in NCR.

BFAR NCR is the last among the Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs) to conduct the roadshow, following regions 1, 3, 4A, and 4B.

FishCoRe is a seven-year project (2023-2029) that aims to improve the management of fishery resources and enhance the value of fisheries production in coastal communities in selected FMAs. It has three components: 1) FishCRRM (Fisheries and Coastal Resilient Resource Planning and Management), 2) MARLIN (Modern and Resilient Livelihood Investments), and 3) SuPrim (Support for Project Implementation and Management).

Through this initiative, FishCoRe hopes to strengthen fisheries and inland resource management in NCR focusing on sustainable management of fishery resources, enhancing fishing practices, and implementing collaborative marketing strategies to uplift the livelihood of fisherfolk. The project is poised to benefit about 547,000 fisherfolk, with 285,319 in FMA 6 and 261,566 in FMA 9. ### (Rita dela Cruz)