SAN FERNANDO CITY, Sept. 14 (PIA) -- Ilocos Region remains to be self-sufficient on fish supply amid coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, an official from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 1 said.

Rosario Segundia Gaerlan, officer-in-charge of the BFAR Region 1, said the region has already produced close to 16,000 metric tons of fish and fish supply from mid March to September.

"Our production, so far, has an estimated value at PhP1.9 billion," Gaerlan said during the virtual media briefing on Monday.

She informed that of the total production, 11,000 metric tons were supplied to other regions like Regions 2 and 3, but mostly to National Capital Region while the remaining production, which is around 4,000 metric tons, were consumed by Region 1 residents.

"Despite the pandemic, malaki ang naimbag ng ating rehiyon sa food sufficiency sa buong bansa dahil sa tuloy-tuloy na pagharvest sa capture fisheries at aquaculture areas," said Gaerlan.

Last year, the region produced some 150,000 metric tons of fish commodities comprised largely of bangus.

Amid COVID-19 where there is no restriction in fishing activities, smooth movement and unloading of fish products has also been observed.

To date, Gaerlan said their office has issued 914 food pass and 6,000 local transport permits for fishery stakeholders.

The virtual media briefing kicked off the weeklong regional celebration of the 57th Fish Conservation Week.

Gaerlan said this year's theme "Karagatan ay Pangalagaan upang Ani at Kita ay Makamtan maging sa Gitna ng Pandemyang Hamon sa Bayan" reminds Filipinos of the significance of protecting marine and aquatic resources even in the most challenging situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Karamihan sa activities natin ngayong taon ay tungkol sa conservation ng ating marine resources," said Gaerlan.

These activities set from Sept. 14 to Sept. 18 include mangrove planting, 46th Fishery Industry Forum for Stakeholders, dispersal of tilapia, ayungin, and bukto fingerlings, and coastal clean-up, among others. (JCR/JPD, PIA La Union)