Save our aquaculture industry

By Johanne R. Macob

 

THE ten-day celebration of the Pista’y Dayat (sea festival) in our beloved Pangasinan culminated a few days ago. The celebration, showcasing the natives’ talents and skills, hailed the bounty and beauty of the seas. Ironically, while the goodness of the seas is being honored, the Philippine government has yet to come up with appropriate response to the persistent calls for focus on the aquaculture industry.

The Philippines, being an archipelago surrounded by vast stretch of water, it’s only natural for many of our fellows to work in the fishery industry. As the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources disclosed, “The fishing industry’s contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP) were 1.6 % and 1.8% at current and constant 2000 prices, respectively. This translates to some P197 billion for current prices and P130 billion for constant prices of the country’s GDP of P12,643 billion (current prices) and P7,164 billion (constant prices).” Also, the country has been ranked seventh among the top fish producing countries in the world in 2013 and the world’s third largest producer of aquatic plants. Despite these facts, the government has not been providing enough support for the sector.

According to various research materials I’ve perused, ten of the 13 major fishing grounds in the country are already heavily damaged. Worse, these fishing grounds have been suffering from overfishing through illegal acts of fishing. Studies showed that the root cause of this is the open access of fishing due to the lack of management, regulation, and enforcement.

Two weeks ago, leaders of fisherfolk in the country gathered in Dagupan City, the venue of the last presidential debate, to poke the presidentiables and unveiled their 10-point blue agenda for sustainable fisheries. One of their agenda is the proposal to take the fisheries and aquatic resources from the Department of Agriculture and to establish a separate department for it. Personally, through my journey in the media industry, I can say that I have heard a lot of people calling for the same proposal. And these people are not only from the fishermen but from solons, businessmen, farmers, teachers and students. If they realize the need for more and better assistance, a sharper focus on the aquaculture industry, there’s no reason for the national government not see the same. A department is bigger than a bureau, hence, has a bigger budget, a secretary as its head (not a mere bureau director), more personnel, etc. As a department, the industry’s problems and issues, from management to regulation and enforcement can be expected.

I, as a journalist and as a development communication student, join the move and support the proposal for the creation of a Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. We live in an archipelago. We have to protect and make the best out of our resources. I hope our next leaders will see the wisdom in this proposal.

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