Tuesday, April 15, 2008 Talk on fisheries code resumes By Grace L. Plata
THE discussion on the proposed Local Fisheries Code will resume Tuesday after being deferred in last Tuesday's session.
The body had only been able to tackle until Article 7 of the proposed ordinance two weeks ago. In an executive session Monday last week, more articles were discussed. But in last week's regular session, it had to be deferred due to the absence of resource persons.
The Davao City Fisheries Code is the localized version of Republic Act 8550, otherwise known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998. This code aims to provide the country development, management and conservation of the fisheries and aquatic resources. Its main consideration is food security.
The code includes a flexible policy towards the attainment of food security should be adopted in response to changes in demographic trends for fish, emerging trends in the trade of fish and other aquatic products in domestic and international markets.
It also limits the access to the fishery and aquatic resources of the city for the exclusive use and enjoyment of municipal fisher folk.
The local fisheries code was first proposed during the last months of 14th Council, but was not passed in time before the May 2007 elections.
The environment committee proposed the return of the ordinance to the committee level on June 14, 2007 as stakeholders that have not been part of the technical working group in drafting the ordinance have requested to be heard before it is finalized.
While waiting for the passage of the fisheries code, commercial fisher folks in Davao City are temporarily allowed to operate up to seven kilometers away from the shoreline since March 2007 to quell the conflict between the small and commercial fishers.
The Philippine fisheries code sets a 15-kilometer distance from the shoreline, where commercial fishermen are allowed to operate but the proposed local Fisheries Code sets it at 10 kilometers after consultations with both parties. (GLP)
