By Kenneth Marcos 
ILOILO CITY — The air was filled with celebration and pride as fisherfolk, environmental advocates, and government partners gathered to honor the country’s champions of marine conservation. Held last September 17–18 in Iloilo City, this year’s Para El Mar awards coincided with the 62nd Fish Conservation Week, bringing hope and inspiration to coastal communities across the Philippines.
With the theme “Bantay Karagatan, Bantay Kinabukasan: Local Action for Biodiversity and the Future,” the event highlighted how local communities are leading the charge in protecting oceans, marine life, and their own future livelihoods.
Recognizing Coastal Champions
Organized by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Para El Mar—which means “For the Sea”—recognizes the best-managed marine protected areas (MPAs), local government units (LGUs), and people’s organizations that have shown outstanding commitment to marine biodiversity and sustainability.
This year’s winners were praised for their strong leadership, community involvement, and effective programs that helped restore coral reefs, protect fish habitats, and enforce coastal laws.
They showed that when people work together—from barangay officials to fisherfolk associations—real change happens in our seas.
A Model for Sustainable Fisheries
The event also served as a reminder of how important coastal resources are to millions of Filipinos. Fisheries provide food, jobs, and income to over 1.9 million registered fisherfolk nationwide, many of whom belong to vulnerable sectors.
BFAR, a founding member of Para El Mar, continues to support coastal communities by providing training, technical support, and funding for community-based initiatives. These programs aim to reduce overfishing, restore marine ecosystems, and promote responsible fishing practices.
The agency also works closely with local and national partners to promote science-based policies and strengthen the implementation of fisheries laws.
Fish Conservation Week: A Call to Action
Now on its 62nd year, Fish Conservation Week is not just a celebration, but also a nationwide call to action. It reminds Filipinos of the importance of protecting marine life—not just for the environment, but for future generations who will depend on the sea for survival.
Through events like Para El Mar, BFAR and its partners aim to inspire more communities to step up as guardians of the ocean. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to “Pangisdaan sa Bagong Pilipinas”—a vision for a modern, inclusive, and sustainable fisheries sector.
The event closed with a call for unity and stronger community engagement, encouraging everyone to become part of the movement for healthy oceans and thriving coastal livelihoods.
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