BACOLOD CITY, July 11 -- The Negros Occidental provincial government is working with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in pushing for a sustainable and globally competitive blue swimming crab (BSC) industry amid the challenges brought by the United States' suspension on the importation of crab meat products from the Philippines.

In a report posted on Saturday, the BFAR-Negros Island Region (NIR) said a stakeholders' consultative meeting was organized by the province at the capitol's Social Hall here on Friday.

"This is our chance to elevate our fisheries governance and show the world that the Philippine blue swimming crab industry is world-class and compliant. BFAR cannot do this alone," BFAR-NIR Director Rene Parren...