ZAMBOANGA CITY — The 5th National Sardines Industry Congress 2022 formally kicked off on 20 October with no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Senator Imee Marcos attending the occasion.

An estimated 1,000 participants attended the forum which aims to discuss and find solutions to critical issues and challenges of the sardine fishing and processing industry in the Philippines today.

Southern Philippines Deep Sea Fishing Association Inc. president Engr. Jaydrick Johnson Yap said that the forum also includes a scientific session centering the discussion on "Sardines' close fishing season: Impact on biomass and production" with Divina Ignacio, project leader for the national stock assessment program of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Zamboanga peninsula.

The BFAR also discussed topics on biomass and stock distribution sardines.

A memorandum of agreement was also signed on attaining sustainability in the fisheries for sardines and other pelagic fish of the Zamboanga peninsula. It was signed by the BFAR, the University of the Philippines, Mindanao State University, Iligan Institute of Technology, Jose Rizal Memorial State University and SoPhil Fishing Association Inc.

Also included in the discussions was climate change's impact on sardines fishery and fishers, updates on the national sardine management framework plan, and its ways forward.