FISH CATCH IN VISAYAS SEA IMOROVES Nov. 17, 2014, PanayNews PN, by Edith Colmo BACOLOD City — Provinces surrounding the Visayan Sea had an improved fish catch due to the strict enforcement of fishery laws, their governors said. During the 6th Visayan Sea Summit in Sagay City, Negros Occidental last week, governors of Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Cebu, and Masbate claimed there was a big improvement in their catch after banning huge fishing vessels from the “Visayan Maritime Triangle.” Masbate’s Gov. Rizalina Tanete said small fishers in their five coastal municipalities can now catch huge tangigue, unlike before when they get only small species like bulinao. Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. said his province has already restored the fish sanctuary in Isla de Gigantes in Carles town while continuously banning hulbot-hulbot fishing in cooperation with Bantay Dagat and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Rodrigo Lachica, who represented Cebu’s Gov. Hilario Davide III, said their provincial task force against illegal fishing helps marginal fisherfolk sustain their livelihood. He said the task force has so far impounded 33 fishing vessels and confiscated 377 boxes of illegally caught fish. Negros Occidental’s Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., meanwhile, thanked Task Force Lawod for continuously protecting the province’s marine resources. Marañon said the fisherfolk’s present harvest helps them sustain their everyday needs and the education of their children. Task Force Lawod also strictly monitors the fishers’ catch; fish with eggs, for instance, are returned to the sea, he said. The task force has also apprehended P33 million worth of fishing vessel with 150 tons of illegally caught fish, he said. Composing the task force are representatives from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Provincial Environment Management Office, Regional Maritime Group, BFAR, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources, among others. Aside from catching illegal fishers, Task Force Lawod also trains marginal fishermen on how to establish fish sanctuaries./PN
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:01:28 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015