The Government of Japan, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, is helping chart a new course for fisheries in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The two-year project, “Development of a Sustainable Fishery Value Chain in BARMM,” signed in 2025, is aimed at strengthening local fishery and aquaculture sectors while creating sustainable, community-driven value chains.

BARMM, with its rich marine resources, is a region brimming with potential. The project focuses on supporting small-scale fishers, introducing alternative high-value species, promoting value-adding processes, and providing skills and knowledge to ensure long-term productivity and resilience.

Last 10 February, First Secretary and Agriculture Attaché Akasaka Hidenori visited Tawi-Tawi Province to see the project in action. He met with the BARMM government, local officials, and beneficiaries, exchanging ideas on how the initiative can make a real difference in the communities.

Akasaka also visited Barangay Karaha in Panglima Sugala, where community-based fisherfolk organizations are operating hatcheries for sea cucumbers, algae and abalone. In Bongao, he checked on the rehabilitation of a freshwater hatchery managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, also supported by the project.

“These hatcheries are not just about fish — they’re about sustainable livelihoods, stronger market links, and better food security,” Akasaka said. “Working closely with local government and communities ensures that this project brings real, lasting benefits.”

Through these efforts, the project is helping build a more resilient fisheries sector in BARMM, giving small-scale producers the tools and support they need to thrive while promoting responsible marine resource management.