Fisheries Refugia:

Abstract

As one of the countries located in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand, the Philippines contributes to high fisheries production in the world providing thousands of jobs in the fisheries sector. However, the lack of responsible fishing practices and anthropogenic activities threaten its fishery resource ecosystem. Aware of the above concern, the project entitled "Establishment and Operation of a Regional System of Fisheries Refugia in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand" was funded by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Global Environment Facility (UNEP-GEF) in coordination with the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). The Department of Agriculture-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI) acts as the lead agency responsible for the overall coordination of the project's national-level activities. As part of the Strategic Action Program regarding the South China Sea, this project introduces the Fisheries Refugia concept - a tool for integrated fisheries and habitat management.