Image Courtesy of Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. clarified his stance on Saturday, September 23, 2023, asserting that there are no intentions to implement a nationwide fishing ban to address the dwindling fish population in the country.
President Marcos emphasized that he is only contemplating the imposition of fishing bans in specific areas, particularly those identified as breeding grounds for marine life.
Furthermore, he highlighted the urgent need for the government to establish additional cold storage facilities to prevent fish spoilage and promote the development of processing plants as part of their ongoing initiatives.
Nazario Briguera, spokesperson for the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), underscored that local governments possess the authority to enact fishing bans.
Meanwhile, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) fishers’ group voiced concerns that government conservation efforts and fishing restrictions disproportionately impact small-scale fishers dependent on fishing for their livelihoods. They called on the Marcos administration to prioritize the termination of coastal area conversions and reclamations rather than implementing fishing bans.
In accompanying photographs, fishermen at the Bulungan fish port in Paranaque can be seen sorting their catch early in the morning.
(By Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)