ZAMBOANGA CITY – While the Interior Department is raising alarm over the illegal use by trawlers of “super bright lights” to attract fishes in 20 municipal waters and warned local governments, including Sulu, Basilan and Zamboanga City in Mindanao, however the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) said the southern region registered a whopping 6,196.02 metric tons of unloaded fish supply during the first week of May.
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| Trawlers in Mindanao (Photos by Al Jacinto) |
The PFDA said the regional fish ports in Mindanao - Zamboanga Fish Port Complex, General Santos Fish Port Complex and Davao Fish Port Complex not only unloaded over 6 tons of catch, it also recorded a 5% increase in volume or equivalent to more than 250 tons of fish over last week of April.
The Zamboanga Fish Port Complex even surpassed its record by registering 78.21 tons of unloaded fish. But the General Santos Fish Port Complex maintained its position as the highest unloading volume not only in Mindanao, but across all the country’s regional fish ports with 6,094 tons of unloaded fish in six days, according to PFDA.
“Overall, Mindanao RFPs (regional fish ports) are continuously working their way up the ladder of sustainability by doubling their efforts to deliver adequate fish products to all their consumers. As they maintain high unloading volume, Mindanao RFPs are hoping to surpass last month’s record, a promise they are eager to fulfill in the days to come,” PFDA said, branding Mindanao as “The Land of Promise,” adding the southern regional fish ports fulfilled its promise of providing adequate and quality fish supply to all their clients and stakeholders.
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| Fishermen in Mindanao. (Photos by Al Jacinto) |
But Interior Secretary Eduardo Año warned and reminded local governments to strictly implement the Philippine Fisheries Code after citing a recent report that trawlers were using super bright lights in Tongkil in Sulu with 2,549 total detections followed by Zamboanga City with 2,446; Milagros in Masbate with 1,595; Cawayan also in Masbate with 1,350; and San Pascual in Masbate with 1,193; Languyan in Tawi-Tawi with 1,057; Calauag in Quezon with 1,009; Hadji Mohammad Ajul in Basilan with 973; Linapacan in Palawan with 959; and, Carles in Iloilo with 762.
He also included in the list the following: Cuyo, Taytay, Magsaysay and Coron in Palawan; Santa Cruz in Marinduque; Madridejos in Cebu; San Jose in Occidental Mindoro; Catbalogan City in Samar; Cavite City in Cavite; and Quezon in Quezon province.
Año said the DILG - which has partnered with Oceana Philippines in monitoring, detecting, and preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in municipal waters - was able to get the information through the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite technology, a satellite that can detect artificial light sources or superlight.
He issued stern warnings to the local governments and told them to strengthen the enforcement of the Philippine Fisheries Code and other existing policies for the protection of coastal communities and fishing folks within their jurisdiction or face administrative sanctions. “Despite the (Covid-19) pandemic, we want to remind LGUs of the protection of our aquatic resources which, unfortunately, is still an issue in the country. Para sa 20 pamahalaang lokal na ito na ating pinadalhan ng warning, mahigpit ang ating paalala na pangalagaan ang ating mga karagatan,” Año said.
He said illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in municipal waters can cause a serious decline in fisheries resources, and can negatively impact food security and livelihoods for coastal communities and fisher folks. Based on the report, Año said there had been a spike in the increase of detections of commercial fishing (using super bright lights) in municipal waters amid the pandemic. “Mahalagang matutukan ito sapagkat these violations are directly related and crucial to the food security of our country,” he said.
Año said that the DILG utilizes the satellite data which shows the areas where the use of these super lights was prevalent. The data, he said, is overlaid with maps that show municipal water boundaries to identify and map out the use of super lights in municipal waters or intrusions and encroachments of commercial fishing vessels in municipal waters.
“The use of satellite technology in fisheries law enforcement is another game changer hence it imperative for the DILG to act and issue a warning to these LGUs. Hangad namin na sa pamamagitan nito ay matugunan nila ang mga paglabag sa batas ng pangingisda sa kanilang nasasakupan,” he said.
The DILG report however was collected last year, but nonetheless, Año ordered local governments to strictly implement DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2018-59 which contains policies and guidelines on the regulation and monitoring of fishery activities in municipal waters. (Mindanao Examiner)
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