A public consultation on the proposed Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) for the conservation and management of galunggong (Decapterus macarellus) within Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 6 was held on March 3, 2026, in Tanza, Cavite. The activity was conducted under the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency Project and was attended by representatives from various national government agencies (NGAs), local government units, stakeholders, and fisherfolk.

During the consultation, results of scientific assessments and data from the National Stock Assessment Program (NSAP) of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) were presented as the basis for the proposed management measures. The data highlighted the urgent need for science-based actions to address the continued decline in galunggong catch, while balancing environmental protection and the livelihoods of fisherfolk.

Among the proposed policies are a temporary reduction in the number of fishing days, a moratorium on the issuance of new licenses for selected fishing gears such as ring nets, purse seine nets, and drive-in nets, and an increase in mesh size to prevent the capture of juvenile fish, allowing them time to grow and reproduce.

The proposed FAO aims to address the causes of declining fish stocks and promote responsible and sustainable use of marine resources in FMA 6.(mrcamilon)