Groups want Pasil Fish Port dynamite-free market

CEBU, Philippines - Various government entities and non-government organizations are working hand-in-hand to establish a dynamite-free fish market at Pasil Fish Port in Cebu City, which is considered the largest fish market in Central Visayas.

The consolidated effort was derived in response to the online petition posted by Lorna Coyoca, a mother of a professional diver who was killed by an explosive off Daanbantayan town.

“There is now a strong agreement formed by BFAR-7, Cebu Provincial Government, Cebu City Government and other stakeholders to strengthen their enforcement on illegal and destructive fishing on fishing grounds and closely inspecting transported marine products and those at local markets,” said Vince Cinches, oceans campaigner of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

Operating within the local environmental communities, Greenpeace Southeast Asia spearheaded the roundtable discussion yesterday morning in cooperation with the Office of City Councilor Ma. Nida Cabrera, Cebu City Bantay Dagat Commission, Cebu Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-7.

Cabrera, chairwoman on the City Council’s Committee on Environment, assured to support in creating a city ordinance stipulating the internal policy for procurement, hiring of additional personnel, and other mechanisms on protecting the Pasil Fish Port from any illegally caught fish.

This measure includes budget allocation to capacitate more regular workers on examining illegally caught fishes and to further enhance the city’s program on implementing market denial on dynamite fishing.

BFAR-7 Director Andres Bojos committed to facilitate the trainings on personnel on becoming “fish examiners” while their office also planned to refine their training manual in order to produce skillful workers.  If these efforts are attained, Cinches said there is a bigger possibility to declare the Pasil Fish Port as a dynamite-free market.

Assistant Market Administrator Arnel Quijano confirmed that the Pasil Fish Port is the biggest fish landing market in Region 7 receiving from other parts of the country in Zamboanga City, Masbate City, and other major fishing grounds. — May B. Miasco/JMO (FREEMAN)