FISHING VESSELS. The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources inaugurates two government-procured 62-footer steel-hulled fishing vessels at the Sual Fish Port Complex in Sual town, Pangasinan on Feb. 28, 2022. The fishing vessels will be turned over to fisherfolk organizations in the Ilocos Region and Eastern Visayas. (Photo courtesy of Ruel De Guzman/ Radyo Pilipinas Dagupan) SUAL, Pangasinan - The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) inaugurated on Monday two government-procured 62-footer steel-hulled fishing vessels at the Sual Fish Port Complex here. In an interview, BFAR Capture Fisheries Division chief Raffy Ramiscal said the project aims to upgrade the fishing methods of the fishermen to increase their catch, uplift livelihood, and boost fish production in the country. The ring net fishing vessels worth PHP23 million are equipped with full machinery and accessories designed by DA-BFAR with upgraded and appropriate equipment to improve the fishing capacity and production efficiency of the fisherfolk. These are part of the total of four fishing vessels to be distributed to the identified municipal fisherfolk organizations in La Union, Palawan, North and Eastern Samar, and Zamboanga, Ramiscal said. "The projection is that their catch will increase to 15 to 20 tons per month or with the equivalent value of PHP1.5 million gross income per month," Ramiscal said. He said the vessels will set sail on the second of the year after the completion of the hauling and the net. "We have already conducted orientation, briefing, and expectation workshops for the fisherfolk in Damortis Sto. Tomas town, La Union, with their more than 100 members. Then, we will come up with the memorandum of agreement," he said. The two newly-launched fishing vessels are also among the four units of ring net fishing boats designed and built by Filipino shipbuilding company Josefa Slipways, Inc, which also fabricated two of DA-BFAR's multi-mission vessels -BRP Lapu-Lapu (MMOV 5001) and BRP Francisco Dagohoy (MMOV 5002). Meanwhile, BFAR National Fisheries Development Center Dagupan chief Dr. Dennis Tanay said the fishing vessels can accommodate up to 10 fishermen and can withstand large waves at sea. "Its fuel capacity could last up to nine days at sea and it is already complete with necessary fishing paraphernalia," Tanay said. He said the project is part of the DA-BFAR's mechanization and agri-industrialization program. The DA-BFAR targets to award 35 more fishing vessels, including two ring nets, six bag nets, and 27 handline fishing boats in the coming months. To ensure project sustainability and higher income, DA-BFAR's technical experts will conduct cooperative development and management training for the fisherfolk beneficiaries. (PNA) }