Fisheries bureau to establish artificial reefs

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is set to establish an artificial fish sanctuary and breeding place for fishes in southern Iloilo particularly in the coastal areas of Oton and Tigbauan.

Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director Helen Catalbas said the fish sanctuary will be installed after the Pamunit Festival in April this year.

Catalbas said her office is coordinating with BFAR in holding another tourism event in Iloilo with the participation of international and national personalities in game fishing using hook and line.

The proposed Pamunit Festival, which is spearheaded by the Panay Anglers Association and Iloilo Pamunit Festival Association, is giving cognizance to the environmental friendly way of catching fish without dynamites and thereby protecting the environment.

The BFAR has allocated P200,000 for the artificial reef project in creating a fish sanctuary and a place to breed. The southern sea areas are noted for abundance of tuna, sardines, groupers, and other fishes.

Catalbas said the Pamunit Festival is expected to give a tourism name to Iloilo as the best place for fish angling aside from its annual Iloilo Paraw Regatta festival every February.