THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has partnered with the Danish Fishing Technology Cluster to pilot modern offshore fishing technologies in Philippine waters, building on a 2019 memorandum of understanding between the two parties.
The project will test Danish pelagic midwater trawl systems and conduct hydro-acoustic assessments and biomass mapping in the West Philippine Sea, East Philippine Sea, and Benham Rise.
Danish pelagic midwater trawl systems is a smarter, cleaner way to net large volumes of open-water fish compared to traditional methods.
Hydro-acoustic assessments use sound waves (sonar) to detect and measure fish populations underwater — similar to how ultrasound works in medicine. Ships emit sound pulses that bounce off fish schools, allowing scientists to estimate their size, location, and depth without catching them.
Biomass mapping plots the spatial distribution of fish stocks across a body of water, showing where fish are concentrated and in what quantities.
Together, they give fisheries managers a scientific picture of how many fish exist, where they are, and whether stocks are healthy enough to sustain commercial fishing.
Data from these surveys will inform fish stock management and future policy decisions.
“We want to improve fish production, strengthen food security, and ensure that growth in the sector is supported by responsible and sustainable resource management,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
The partnership also targets more sustainable fishing methods — reducing bycatch, improving fuel efficiency, cutting carbon emissions, and minimizing marine environmental impact.
The pilot project coincides with the 80th anniversary of Philippine-Denmark diplomatic relations.