PB approves protection of endangered fishes

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is set to sign the provincial ordinance recently approved by the Provincial Board granting special protection to at least three vulnerable species of fish in the province.

The ordinance sponsored by PB Member Agnes Magpale gives special protection to Thresher Sharks (lawihan or sakol), Giant Manta Rays (sanga), and Sun Fish (mola-mola) considered as vulnerable species of fish.

The ordinance also seeks to penalize those who will violate the prohibited acts such as "to hunt, to catch, possess, transport, sell, buy, distribute, wound or kill the vulnerable species of fish."

Violators shall be subjected to a fine of not more than P5,000 and an imprisonment of not more than one year or both depending on the court's discretion.  

Magpale said that thresher shark and sun fish are considered vulnerable due to their rare appearance in the country. They are not yet covered by the protection under the Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 208.

Giant manta ray is protected by FAO but its implementation remains to be seen, she said.

A study conducted by British scientist Simon Oliver who came to Cebu to personally study the diminishing species, identified the kind of thresher sharks commonly seen in the island province as the six feet pelagic threshers.

Magpale said that the islands of Pescador in Moalboal and Malapascua in Daan-bantayan are blessed because according to Simon's report they served as the feeding and cleaning grounds of the unique, attractive and rare genus.

Magpale said that the thresher sharks' diminishing population may be caused by blast fishing that can still be heard off Malapascua Island.

This adds to the fact that threshers can only reproduce twice upon reaching the age of 13 and beyond its maturity period.

Once formally implemented, the different local government units in the province shall take charge of the proper and full implementation of the provisions of the ordinance. (FREEMAN)