Artificial reefs dropped into Oton sea

MORE than 200 artificial reefs were dropped into the sea in Oton, Iloilo in a bid to restore marine resources in the area.

A simple ceremony attended by the fishermen, local officials of Oton and Governor Arthur Defensor was held at the Oton Municipal Fishport on Thursday, January 31, to mark the activity.

The artificial reefs composed of 160 units jackstone-type artificial reefs, 30 units bamboo pyramid type artificial reefs, and 25 units condo-type artificial reefs were built by the fishermen themselves with funding coming from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Iloilo Provincial Government and the Municipal Government of Oton.

ILOILO. Some of the condo type artificial reefs or the so-called fish condominiums that were deployed on the sea waters of Oton, Iloilo. (Contributed photo)

Mayor Vicente Flores said they seriously worked for the deployment of artificial reefs on the municipal waters of Oton in support of Defensor’s program on the conservation of marine resources.

Flores also said the project would help efforts to revive fishing in the municipal waters of Oton, which they would be promoting through the holding of the Pamunit Festival.

Defensor noted that marine resources not only in Oton but all over the province have seriously depleted through the years due to wanton fishing activities aggravated by illegal fishing practices.

He said the artificial reefs would serve as habitat of fishes and other marine resources.

Last year, Defensor also led the deployment of artificial reefs in Barangay Barosbos, Carles; Barangay Tanza, Estancia; and Barangay Nasidman, Ajuy on separate occasions.

Defensor said he has been supporting the installation of artificial reefs since his early years as governor in the 90s.

Ever since, he said, feedback from fishermen showed that the artificial reefs really helped restore the abundance of fishes and other marine resources. (PR)