By Kenneth Marcos 
Los Baños, Laguna – In a step toward safer seafood and stronger market integrity, technical staff from the Department of Agriculture’s National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI) trained the second batch of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) frontliners in Los Baños, Laguna. The “National Training Workshop on Taxonomic Identification of Commonly Traded Fish and Fishery Products” ran from November 25 to 28, 2025.
The four-day program focused on equipping BFAR personnel from central and regional offices with the skills needed to correctly identify fish and other aquatic products. Accurate taxonomic identification is crucial for proper labeling, protecting consumers, and maintaining the quality and safety of fishery products in local and international markets.
During the training, DA-NFRDI experts served as resource speakers, sharing practical techniques, identification tools, and real-life examples from common trade fish species. Participants also engaged in hands-on exercises to strengthen their ability to distinguish species, detect mislabeling, and ensure compliance with fishery regulations.
This initiative is part of broader efforts by the Department of Agriculture to enhance the capacity of frontline fishery personnel and support the sustainable development of the country’s aquatic resources. By improving technical expertise, BFAR aims to boost consumer confidence, prevent fraud in seafood trade, and protect public health.
“By empowering our frontliners with specialized knowledge, we ensure that fishery products reaching the market are safe, properly labeled, and traceable,” said a DA-NFRDI spokesperson. “This training strengthens the backbone of our seafood monitoring and enforcement programs.”
The workshop also fostered collaboration among BFAR offices, allowing participants to share experiences, discuss challenges in fish identification, and explore solutions that can be applied nationwide. Officials emphasized that such capacity-building programs are key to supporting both local fishermen and the broader fisheries industry, which is vital for food security and livelihoods.
With this second batch of trained frontliners, DA-NFRDI and BFAR reaffirm their commitment to high standards in seafood safety, sustainable fisheries management, and consumer protection across the Philippines.
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