Forum tackles insights to strengthen PHL’s fisheries sector in the new normal

The College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS), UP Visayas, looked into the transformations brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic in the country’s fisheries industry.

The CFOS gathered partners from the government, academe, private sectors, and non-profit organizations to discuss ways to strengthen the fisheries sector after the pandemic in this year’s Annual Fisheries Industry Forum on August 4, 2022.

Themed “Resilience, Innovations and Change Agility of the Fisheries Sector in the Midst of Complex Risks,” the undertaking sought to provide insights for the College to consider in the revision and improvement of its existing curricular programs, to inform the students on the state of the Philippine fisheries industry in general and CFOS in particular, and to give students, faculty members, staff of the College the opportunity to learn from the perspectives of the different stakeholders on the anticipated post-pandemic challenges and changes in their respective fields.

CFOS Dean Prof. Encarnacion Emilia S. Yap believed that the knowledge and insights from the activity can help “on how we can future-proof our curricular programs as we face the different challenges and changes in the educational landscape of the country, the socio-economic and healthcare systems, and all other major challenges in terms of resources, geographical differences, physical/mental health problems, and inclusivity concerns giving rise to learning losses and inequality in our society, in general, and the fisheries industry, in particular.”

The forum, which was held both in person and online, highlighted the effects of the health crisis in the industry, the lessons learned, and the coping strategies for the new normal.

The activity featured the following speakers:

Mr. Nereus Jethro G. Abad, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) at the Regional Aquaculture Group, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, talked about “An OFW HR professional’s Insights on the Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies Required by Fisheries Graduates to be Globally Competitive Amidst the Current Crisis.”

Dr. Angel B. Encarnacion, Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) Regional Office II, shared his presentation on “Generation Blue.”

Engr. Jaydrick Johnson A. Yap, President of Southern Philippine Deep Sea Fishing Association (SOPHIL) in Zamboanga City, discussed the “Private Sector Advisory Council Work plan.”

Dr. Napoleon K. Juanillo, Jr., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Research, Innovation, and Scholarship (The IRIS), presented his topic on “Commercializing Fisheries R&D: Opportunities and Challenges.”

The discussion was moderated by Asst. Prof. Cristy S. Acabado.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, CFOS has continuously strived to provide quality education to its students despite the challenges brought about by the health crisis.

These initiatives include the development of course packs suited to the needs of the students for remote learning delivery, implementation of limited face-to-face laboratory classes, and conduct of bridging programs to provide students with a refresher course on important topics and to experience different hands-on laboratory experiments relevant to the conduct of their thesis/dissertation.

This year’s Annual Fisheries Industry Forum was organized by the Institute of Fisheries Policy and Development Studies in celebration of the 75 years of UP Presence in Iloilo.

Other activities in relation to this undertaking were the launching of the CFOS website and Diwata’s Nook located at the Umali Hall, UPV Miagao campus, the opening of the exhibit of CFOS registered technologies, CFOS graduate student conference (GRASCON 2022), photo contest, and virtual alumni homecoming. (Lenilyn B. Gallos, CFOS)