The CompanY joins the bossa craze

MARIVELES, Bataan – Total Philippines Corp. launched its artificial reef project here last week to help rehabilitate the town’s coastal area and reduce the effects of illegal fishing.

Liquigaz Philippines and the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific joined Total in the project launched in Sitio Marina, Barangay Alas-Asin.

“We conceived the project in cooperation with the Bureau of Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the community as a feasible solution to marine habitat rehabilitation and in answer to the dwindling fish catch of the fishermen,” said Anna Whitehouse, Total president and managing director.

The project involved the setting up of 200 concrete reefs 60 meters deep into the water and 150 meters away from the shore to serve as shelter and breeding grounds for different fish species and other marine organisms.

Whitehouse said they are looking into putting in more artificial reefs annually for sustainable rehabilitation and protection of the coastal resources.

The artificial reef program aims to help fishermen improve their catch and also address environmental concerns on dynamite fishing.

Santiago Monzaga, leader of fishermen in Barangay Alas-Asin, said they hope that trawl and dynamite fishing be finally stopped in their area.

Remedios Ongtangco, BFAR-Region 3 director, painted a dim picture of the present state of coral reefs not only in Bataan, but also across the country.

“Only four percent of natural coral reefs remain so there is an urgent need to construct new structures like the concrete reefs,” Ongtangco said.