|
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Visayan Sea to 'collapse' unless fishing ban takes off
THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Network Environmental Action Team and the Network of Legal Experts of the Law of Nature Foundation pushed for the implementation of the five-year fishing ban on commercial fishing in the Visayan Sea.
Lawyer Antonio Oposo, head of the group, expressed the need to ban commercial fishing in Visayan Sea to restore its wealth, if not, the fishing industry will face total collapse.
In a resolution and petition to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the group stressed the need to ban commercial fishing because of the rampant and widespread abuse of the marine wealth by way of blast-fishing, unabated commercial fishing, cyanide fishing, over fishing, and other destructive forms of fishing.
The proposal is for the ban to be effective for five years, and to "let the marine life rest."
The group further said despite the very depleted marine resources of the Visayan Sea, notwithstanding the very little area remains outside the municipal waters, commercial fishing boats continue to ply and fish in the waters.
The Visayan Sea has an area of about a million hectares and lies at the heart of the Sulu-Sulawesi Eco-Region.
Study showed that if the Visayan Sea is only maintained, it can feed the entire Filipino people the whole year round.
"We will circulate the petition, specifically with Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and Iloilo Governor Neil Tupas," said Oposo.
The three governors signed over the weekend a Memorandum of Agreement for the Visayan Squadron, a joint project of the Law and Nature Foundation and the Sail and Dive Expedition Group that aimed at the conservation, preservation, and restoration of the marine resources in the Sulu-Sulawesi Eco-Region.
Marañon said he is supporting the move for a five-year banning on commercial vessel.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia, on the other hand, said environment and marine protection should be a paramount concern of the government.
"Marine protection must be safeguarded to maintain the sanctuary of marine life," Leonardia said.
He added marine life had been destroyed because of the massive illegal fishing.
"This is the time that we should unite and cooperate in maintaining the marine environment," he said.
Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, chairman of the committee on agriculture and fisheries, said commercial fishing in Bacolod was banned.
"Fisherfolks agreed with us to totally ban the fishing in the Visayan Sea," Sayson said.
He added that the City Council appropriated P500,000 as budget for the operation of the Bantay Dagat to safeguard the shorelines of the city.
Sayson said Bantay Dagat personnel arrested several violators who were turned over to the 603rd Maritime Police Station to serve the penalties. (AZA/RLB)
(March 15, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
