On February 26, 2020, the BFAR-National Capital Region Regional Fisheries Office (BFAR-NCR) was established through Special Order No. 266 Series of 2020 signed by Department of Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar to implement the objectives and key priorities of the Department for food security, increased income of fishers and sustainable fisheries production in the National Capital Region. The establishment of the regional office is in accordance with Article I, Section 63 (c) of Republic Act No. 8550 as amended by RA 10654.


The BFAR-NCR is primarily responsible for the delivery of frontline services to the concerned Local Government Units (LGUs) in Metro Manila, with the following functions:

  1. Assist the LGUs in developing their technical capacity in the development, management, regulation, conservation and protection of the fishery resources;
  2. Shall lead the monitoring of the developments in the Manila Bay area, promote aqua farming and build a baseline information system for the rehabilitation and development of its fisheries;
  3. Provide extensive development support services in all aspects of fisheries production, processing and marketing;
  4. Provide advisory services and technical assistance on the improvement of quality of fish from time it is caught (ie, on-board fishing vessel, at landing areas, fish markets, to the processing plants and to the distribution and marketing chain);
  5. Coordinate efforts relating to fishery production undertaken by the primary fishery producers, LGUS, FARMCS, and fishery organizations/cooperatives;
  6. Advise and coordinate with LGUs on the maintenance of proper sanitation and hygiene practices in fish markets and fish landing areas;
  7. Coordinate with LGUs and other concerned agencies for the establishment of productivity enhancing and market development programs in fishing communities to enable women to engage in other fisheries/economic activities and contribute significantly to development efforts; and
  8. Perform such other related functions which shall promote the development, conservation, management, protection and utilization of fisheries and aquatic resources.