City gov’t resumes dismantling of illegal fishpens
THE city government has resumed on January 28 its operations against the remaining illegal structures in various rivers in Dagupan.
At least 61 illegal fish structures in the rivers in Calmay, Carael and Sitio Tococ in Lucao were already removed by the Sustainable River Management Task Force before the Christmas holidays.
In the resumption, City agriculturist Emma Molina led two teams of the Task Force composed of personnel from the Waste Management Division, City Engineering Office, the local police and the city agricultural office in tearing down the illegal structures.
“We need to ensure that water of the river flows smoothly without obstruction as we are nearing critical months where the changing climate patterns may pose adverse effects in our bangus production,” Molina said.
Molina said the illegal fish structures were built in violation of the local fisheries ordinance.
“All activities which impede the growth of fish must have to be abated immediately to ensure that the city’s bangus industry will stay,” she said.
Some of these were not covered by an aquaculture lease agreement while the others were oversized and built along navigational lanes.
Since the operation started last year, close to 700 illegal fish structures have been torn down.
Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. said the ongoing initiative will ensure the growth of the bangus industry and consequently avert losses of investments in aquaculture.
“The effort will not only ensure the safety of people crossing rivers, but also protect fisheries and promote order and cleanliness in the environment,” Fernandez said.#
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