Fishery resources seriously depleting

CEBU, Philippines - The country’s fishing industry is in “critical” condition, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Asis Perez reported in the 4th Governors’ Meeting on the Visayan Sea Protection and Coastal Law Enforcement Program in Iloilo City yesterday.

“We have signs that indicate na kailangan na nating ayusin ang fisheries natin,” Perez said.

Perez reported that last year, the Philippines imported around 800,000 metric tons of “galonggong”, “tulingan” and mackerel fishes.

“The bureau and the government is working double time so that we’ll be able to address it passionately and fast similar to what the governors are doing,” he said.

Perez commended the four provinces surrounding the Visayan Sea in taking initiatives in rescuing the worsening situation particularly the Visayas Marine Triangle.

Governors Arthur Defensor Sr. of Iloilo, Alfredo Marañon of Negros Occidental, Rizalina Seachon-Lañete of Masbate and Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu attended the meeting. Perez also reported that a total ban on fishing vessels using Danish Seine fishing gear locally known as “hulbot-hulbot” is now on its way. It was already taken up for first reading by the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council.

The FARMC will recommend the issuance of Fisheries Administrative Order on the total ban of “hulbot-hulbot.”But even if the order has yet to be issued, the Province of Iloilo already implemented its ordinance totally banning the said mode of fishing and provided financial assistance to those who ceased operation.

Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said 90 operators already stopped while another four will be apprehended in a week’s time.

“Hulbot-hulbot,” commonly used by commercial fishers, is prohibited within 15 kilometers from the shoreline or the municipal waters as defined under the Republic Act 8550 known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

Perez said there is a move to totally ban the said mode of fishing because it is destructive even if allowed beyond municipal waters. Perez asked the governors’ determination to implement the policy to preserve the marine resources.

During the meeting yesterday, Defensor moved that a resolution calling for the total ban of “hulbot-hulbot” in the Visayan Sea area. But this was deferred when other governors asked to discuss the matter separately.

The four governors, in a previous meeting, already signed a covenant to protect, conserve and rehabilitate the coastal and marine resources of the Visayas Marine Triangle for the benefit of the future generations.

Yesterday, each province presented its different coastal resource management initiatives.

For Cebu, Capitol consultant Jose Ma. Gastardo presented the activities of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force which he heads.

The four governors reaffirmed their commitment to eradicate if not minimize illegal fishing in their respective area of jurisdiction.

“Let us continue this fight, we will join hands as we hope other officials perhaps other governors will see what we are doing and believe that this is really the way to go,” Garcia said in her speech.

Visayan Sea Project convenor lawyer Antonio Oposa admired what the governors have been doing particularly in Cebu with Garcia’s all-out-war against illegal fishing when she created the task force.

“This is the product of cooperation, these are people of shared passion,” Oposa said after the summit yesterday.

The group plans to hold the next meeting in Masbate. — /JPM (FREEMAN)