October 29, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The government is reviewing its five-year program that guides the sustainable management of the country’s sardine resources to assess its progress and identify new strategies for the next phase of implementation.
A two-day stakeholder review for the National Sardines Management Plan (NSMP) 2020–2025 was held in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu earlier this week, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said.
The plan serves as the framework for science-based and equitable management of sardine stocks across the country.
“As part of the activity, breakout sessions were conducted focusing on the three main goals of the plan — ecological, socioeconomic and governance,” the BFAR said.
The event brought together representatives from government agencies, the private sector, the academe and the sardine industry from various fisheries management areas.
According to BFAR, the review is evaluating how the program has helped sustain fish populations, improve fisherfolk livelihoods and strengthen science-based fisheries management.
The discussions also identified which initiatives have worked well and where adjustments are needed to make the next phase more effective.
The BFAR said the results of the consultation will be used to update the plan for the 2026 to 2030 period.
The government agency highlighted the need to review the plan in order to adapt to challenges brought by climate change and ensure that fisheries management remains fair, inclusive and sustainable.
Through the updated plan the government aims to promote stronger cooperation among local communities, researchers and industry players to protect the country’s sardine resources while supporting economic growth in coastal areas.
According to the NSMP, sardines in the Philippines are mainly caught in six major fishing grounds spread across the archipelago.
These include the Ragay Gulf-Ticao Pass-San Bernardino Strait, the Bohol Sea, the East Sulu Sea and surrounding Sulu Archipelagic Waters, the Visayan Sea, the Moro Gulf–Illana Bay and Sibuguey Bay.
Other productive sardine fishing areas are found in the Sulu Sea, Palawan Passage, Mindoro Strait, Lamon Bay, Burias Pass, Samar Sea, Lagonoy Gulf, Tayabas Bay, Sibuyan Sea, Dinagat Sound and even parts of Manila Bay.
Over the past 15 years, the country’s sardine catch has averaged about 333,743 metric tons, making up roughly 15 percent of total marine capture fisheries.
Commercial fishing operations account for about 68 percent of this output, while municipal fishers contribute around 32 percent.