BFAR warns fish pen, cage operators of another fish kill

By June 11, 2018Headlines, News

THE regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) warned the fish pen and fish cage owners in the fish kill affected area in Anda and Bolinao that they face another fish kill if they will continue to ignore prescribed rules in aquatic farming.

Regional Director Nestor Domenden, said, the fish kill incident last May 31 that affected fish pens and cages in Caquiputan Channel was a direct result of the operators’ refusal to observe the rules in aquaculture farming.

He said 77% of the affected operations were fish pens while 23% were fish cages.

Domenden said if the operators will still not comply with the rules, the BFAR will intervene and enforce the law.

BFAR determined that the fish kill was caused by the sudden drop of dissolved oxygen, overstocking and overcrowding of pen and cages in one area.

He said it was the usual greed for bigger profits that made them overstock their pens and cages.

Meanwhile, Anda Mayor Aldrin Cerdan issued an executive order for the implementation of temporary suspension of stocking of fish pens and cages in the aquaculture zone in Anda and to allow a freer flow of the river to the Caquiputan Channel.

Executive Order 31 cited the overcrowding of fish pens and cages and overstocking in the aquaculture area as the causes of the fish kill.

Cerdan said no permit will be renewed for the operation of fish pens and cages for the duration of the moratorium and before the moratorium is lifted, the town government will coordinate with the BFAR and DENR for the implementation of the environmental and natural resources laws.

At the 37th Fishery Industry Forum of BFAR held in Lingayen, attended by fishery stakeholders, Domenden had advised the operators to strictly follow aquaculture rules and not to defy advice of experts to avoid losses from a fish kill. (Nora Dominguez)

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