The Municipality of Sta. Cruz is among the Top 100 municipalities in fast-tracking the implementation of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) project on Municipal Fishing Vessels and Gears Registration (BOATR Project).
The citation was presented on October 21, 2016 at the Philippine Coconut Authority Compound, Quezon City during the 53rd year of Fishery Week celebration.
The municipality received worth of 2 million livelihood assistance to boosts economic development of the coastal town communities of Sta. Cruz, comprising eleven coastal barangays from Inawayan to Bato.
BOATR is a national program that intends to fast-track and complete the nationwide registration of fishing vessels – weighing three (3) gross tons and below, as mandated by Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code, the Executive Order 305, series of 2014 Devolving to Municipal and City Governments the Registration of Fishing Vessels Three Gross Tonnage and Below.