Dismissal of BFAR director may stall tracking of fishing vessels, advocates warn

MANILA, Philippines – The dismissal on April 17 of Demosthenes Escoto as Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director could create a “chilling effect” on the bureaucracy, related sectors, and affect government’s tracking of fishing vessels at sea, conservation group Oceana warned on Thursday, April 25.

Advocates fear this “may stall the full implementation of vessel monitoring measures, strict enforcement of the Philippine Fisheries Code…and the science-based and participatory...