WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 352 designates statistical activities that will generate critical data for decision-making for the government and the private sector;

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) is mandated to generate official statistics on agriculture and fishery;

WHEREAS, the data released by the BAS showed drastic increases in fish production from 2000 to 2003;

WHEREAS, field observations of the Ateneo de Naga University Social Science Research Center (ADNU-SSRC), and an independent study conducted by the Bicol University (BU) indicate declining fish yields in some of Bicol Region’s fishing grounds;

WHEREAS, these observations cast doubt on the accuracy and reliability of fishery statistics generated by BAS;

WHEREAS, there is a need to further study the generation of fishery statistics as a tool to better planning and decision making;

NOW THEREFORE, on motion duly seconded, be it:

RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that a task force on fishery statistics be created to study the generation of fishery data in the region;

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the task force be composed of representatives from the following: Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, Social Science Research Center of the Ateneo de Naga University, National Statistics Office, National Statistical Coordination Board, Bicol Small Business Institute Foundation, Inc., and the Bicol University and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources as invitees;

RESOLVED FINALLY, that copies of this resolution be furnished the task force member-agencies for information, guidance and appropriate action.

APPROVED, this 23rd day of August 2005 in Legazpi City.