Here and There
Fish cages, still loose, multiplying
By Gerry Garcia
THE latest victim of massive illegal fish farming in West Pangasinan, Sual, now faces accusation of allegedly allowing proliferation of fish cages to over acceptable limits — 100 fish cages, as it used to have. Sual town now has some 250 each cage reportedly measuring 20 by 60 meters in size and allegedly set up without the Sangguniang Bayan’s approval. And the owners of these structures are under suspicion, according to marginal fisherman Camilo Rigonan, of not having applied for requisite permits. Rigonan doubts further that they are paying the right taxes.
* * * *
What we’re referring to as illegal fish farming here is the individual fish cages mushrooming along the coastal waters of Sual which have, under pressure of fish over population, spawned massive fish-kill, the same event that had brought damages to bangus farming in nearby Anda worth P100 Million.
Ultimate victims of this illegal type of fish farming are the small fishermen who largely depend on coastal waters for their livelihood. Their daily catch has been reduced considerably by these illegal operations.
These mushrooming fish cages also pose the threat of polluting the historic Lingayen Gulf, another put-down for the province’s tourism program.
* * * *
Fisherman Rigonan further says most of these fish cages are owned and operated by big-time Chinese businessmen from Manila, Bulacan and Dagupan City.
Mayor Nestor Pulido of Anda, who was our former colleague in Dagupan media, tells us massive fish-kill is the consequence of over-stocking fish cages and over-feeding the fish, since the left-overs tend to rot in and cause pollution of the water.
Rigonan, who blames Mayor John Arcinue for the mushrooming fish-cages in Sual waters, says he and his group will present their plight before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan tomorrow, Monday and SP member Alice Pulido, chair of SP committee on environment, who also is Mayor Pulido’s wife, will be on hand with BFAR officials to assist Rigonan and company.
* * * *
During these rainy days, a word of caution from Secretary of Health Dr. Paco Duque, Jr., younger brother of fellow columnist ‘fire-player’ Gonz Duque, can help us combat a few water-borne diseases, like leptospirosis, which can be acquired by wading or swimming in potentially contaminated water (with urine of infected animals, like rats.) Symptoms of this potentially fatal sickness: fever, headache, muscle pain and reddish eyes.
Advice: refrain from wading or swimming in potentially contaminated water by wearing boots and gloves.
Dr. Duque also says one could be safer than sorry if he or she drinks chlorinated or boiled water to avert illnesses, like cholera, hepatitis A and typhoid fever.
Cover your mouth or nose when sneezing or coughing, or even talking to prevent your influenza or if moving over to the next door, meaning your immediate neighbor’s.
(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/here-and-there/)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
