DA slammed for ‘ineffective’ measures on depleted fish stocks

MANILA, Philippines — Fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) called out the Department of Agriculture (DA) for its “ineffective conservation measures” on depleted fish stocks.

In a statement on Thursday, Pamalakaya Vice Chairperson Rommel Arambulo said that the prolonged massive fishing regulations and the annual declaration of a fishing ban put small-scale fishers at a disadvantage.

“Fish stocks are depleted and will further deteriorate courtesy of the government’s ineffective conservation measures and inaction to the real threat to the marine and fishery resources,” said Arambulo.

“Lubhang nakakabahala ito sa aming mga maliliit na mangingisda dahil kami naman talaga ang isinasailalim sa mahigpit na mga regulasyon, hindi ang mga malalaking commercial fishing vessels.” He added.

(This is of great concern to us small fishermen because we are the ones subject to strict regulations, not the big commercial fishing vessels.)

Furthermore, he claimed that the destructive projects of big companies are allegedly responsible for fish depletion and the country’s seas’ destruction.

The fishers’ group also mentioned that it will remain vigilant on the possible importation of fish in response to the fishing ban.

READ: New import policies will only worsen plight of fisherfolk

Last April, the DA authorized the importation of 25,000 metric tons of frozen small pelagic fish for wet markets ahead of the closed-season fishing ban to be imposed in the last quarter of this year. — Felice Nafarrete, INQUIRER.net intern