DA upgrades digital surveillance of PH waters

On July 27, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Director Elizer Salilig formally turned over Vessel Monitoring System workstations to National Maritime Center Director VAdm. Allen Dalangin of the Philippine Coast Guard.The workstations allow authorities to track the location, speed and direction of registered fishing vessels in real time.Beyond detecting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, the system will strengthen enforcement of conservation measures such as closed fishing seasons, helping fish stocks recover and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the country’s marine resources.Tiu Laurel said the turnover marks a major step in modernizing fisheries enforcement under the Marcos administration.The technology could also reinforce the government’s campaign against agricultural smuggling, Tiu Laurel added, noting that smugglers — now considered economic saboteurs — have increasingly exploited the country’s vast coastline to bring in commodities such as rice, sugar and cigarettes, depriving the government of revenue and hurting legitimate farmers, fisherfolk and local industries.“These illegal activities undermine the livelihoods of our farmers and fisherfolk while allowing products that bypass quarantine and food safety inspections to reach the market,” Tiu Laurel said.Access to accurate, real-time information is becoming important as climate risks intensify and pressure on marine resources grows, Tiu Laurel added, noting that better data enables authorities to respond more quickly to threats facing fishing communities, while ensuring law-abiding fishermen are not disadvantaged by those who disregard local and international rules.“By strengthening monitoring and enforcement today, we are helping secure our fisheries resources, protect consumers and preserve the livelihoods of future generations,” Tiu Laurel said.