The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has declared an “all-out war” against dynamite fishing and other illegal fishing practices.
BFAR Director Asis Perez said the government was beefing up enforcement of the laws against fishing with explosives, as the bureau recently revealed that the country’s major fishing grounds have shown signs of over-fishing.
Municipal and commercial fishermen have reported declining catch in the past 40 years due to over-fishing, illegal fishing and pollution, the BFAR said.
“All the major causes of a fish decline are manmade and therefore preventable if all stakeholders would take their responsibilities seriously,” Perez said.
This year, the BFAR was given P100 million for law enforcement to run after dynamite fishers.
Perez said fishermen who used explosives not only killed fish but also other marine species necessary for a healthy ecosystem.
“What is shocking to note is that for one fish species alone, the damage could run up to P240 million in losses per day,” he added. Kristine L. Alave