CEBU, Philippines- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region-7 has given all those concerned to until August 15 to submit their stock inventory of brown algae (Sargassum) and sea grass for validation purposes.
This is in relation to the implementation of Fisheries Administrative Order 250, which prohibits the collection, harvesting, gathering, selling or exporting of brown algae and sea grass.
In a statement, BFAR-7 said Sargassum beds play an essential role in marine communities which serve as underwater nurseries for marine animals and mammals.
The loss of these, it said, would eventually destroy the balance in the marine ecosystem, resulting to loss of shelter and food base to all aquatic organisms.
It added if Sagassum beds are gone, survival of marine animals and mammals will be endangered. (FREEMAN)