THE Dagupan City government is not letting up in its campaign against illegal fish pens and other structures built along rivers.

City Agriculture Officer Emma Molina said since January this year, more than 400 illegal fishpens and other structures have been removed by the task force earlier created to implement the order.

Molina stressed that efforts to remove these structures are also aimed at preventing a worse environmental condition in the water that could spawn the occurrence of a costly fishkill.

To date, there are 500 fish pens operating legally and another 480 fish traps have been registered with the city government.

The most recent demolition was carried out in portions of the river traversing barangays Lucao and Calmay.

Molina said the water in these areas have already become stagnant due to the heavy concentration of illegal fish pens.

At the same time, she has consulted with the City Legal Office on what action can be taken against the families who have constructed “houses” in the middle of rivers where they keep watch over their fishpens, particularly in the areas fronting the Jose R. de Venecia Expressway Extension.

Molina also said she will push for an ordinance that will only allow fish pens to be constructed five meters away from the salvage zone.

BANGUS
SUPPLY

Meanwhile, Molina assured there are enough bangus in the city for grilling during the Bangusan Street Party on April 30.

The Bangusan Street Party, an activity of the Dagupan Bangus Festival, will need some 18,000 pieces of bangus for the event.

Molina said these will come from the city’s fishponds and legal fish pens which yield five to 10 metric tons of bangus daily.—LM

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments