Parañaque steps up drive vs illegal fishing

Parañaque City Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. has ordered an intensified campaign against illegal fishing and dumping of wastes in the city’s seas and waterways to protect the environment.

This developed as he announced the full implementation of City Ordinance 06-02 (104), also known as the comprehensive fishery ordinance of the City of Parañaque.

“We should be vigilant in protecting our natural resources and environment, our rivers, seas and other bodies of water against pollution and illegal fishing methods because they cause grave harm to aquatic resources and contribute to global warming,” said Bernabe.

The mayor stressed that the ordinance also provides consumer welfare and public health safeguards, among them the confiscation of illegally caught fish or those that have been soaked in dye, food coloring or laced with formalin; and enforcement of ban on red tide affected shellfish.

One of the salient provisions of the city’s fishery code is the registration requirement for fishing boats of three tons and below gross weight to be allowed to operate within the city waters of Parañaque.

Tasked by the mayor to implement the provisions of the said ordinance, City Agriculture Officer Fe Ferolino, in a public meeting, explained that fishing boat owners should have their vessels registered with the city government.

Apart from the standpoint of mutual benefit and security, Ferolino stressed that the fees are very low and therefore easy on the pocket.

The license fee for: four-cylinder motorized fishing boat —  P300; 16Hp and above — P200; Below 16Hp ‑ P100; and non-motorized boat — P50.

Meanwhile,  owners of bancas with only a two-person capacity need not pay any license fee but are still required to register their water crafts. Inquiries can be made at the Agriculture Office at fourth floor of the Parañaque City Hall (tel. no. 8207464).