The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has partnered with the local government unit of the island town of Bantayan in establishing a multi-species marine hatchery project.

Mayor Arthur Despi said residents are upbeat about the project that institutionalizes the hatchery operations during a consultation on Thursday.

Despi said the residents agreed to the implementing rules and regulations, which will pave the way for the signing of a memorandum of agreement soon.

“The result of the public hearing will form part of the memorandum of agreement to be signed by the LGU and BFAR7,” the mayor said on Friday.

It was not immediately disclosed, however, when the signing will be.

Under the proposed program, BFAR will first manage the hatchery for two years before handing it over to the local government unit (LGU).

The hatchery will be used as a source of fingerlings at the fish cages in the waters off Bantayan to ensure an adequate supply of fish in the northern Cebu area.

The multi-species marine hatchery was based on Republic Act no. 10856, or An Act Establishing a Multi-Species Marine Hatchery in the Municipality of Bantayan, Province of Cebu which was passed on March 23, 2016.

Accordingly, the hatchery began shortly after the passage of the law but it was not institutionalized until BFAR and the LGU drafted the implementing rules and regulations.

The hatchery, the mayor said, would help improve marine species in the area.

He thanked the national government as the project would also improve the catch of local fisherfolk and those from neighboring localities. (PNA)