Draft ordinance banning fish pens still pending
AFTER failing to muster a quorum in the last two regular sessions, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) gave the assurance that the draft ordinance proposed by the Office of Mayor Belen Fernandez prohibiting the establishment of fish pens in areas of public domain in Dagupan will finally be discussed on Tuesday.
The draft ordinance submitted to the SP also seeks the amendment of Sections 36, 37 and 38 of Ordinance No. 1768-2003 or the Dagupan City Coastal Fisheries Resource Management Ordinance of Year 2003 which provides the establishment of fish pens and other fish structures specifying areas where they could be put up, including the design and layout and issuance of permit of the same.
The amendment centers on the provision that provides the operation of fish traps such as “poquet”, “batikwas”, “Skylab”, “sure win”, sky blue or other fish capture structures of more than 300 square meters in designated areas at reduced rate of Php750 per unit; operation of fish cage at Php500 per unit with maximum area of 25 square meters, oyster bed of the traditional stake method, Php500 per unit of more than 100 square meters but less than 200 square meters; and Php750 per unit with area of more than 200 square meters but not exceeding 300 square meters; and operation of oyster raft at Php250 per unit with maximum area of 36 square meters.
After the ordinance is passed into law, only fish traps, fish cages and oyster props will remain in the waters of Dagupan.
Under the proposed measure, the city government all revenues to be derived from the utilization and exploitation of the city waters will be allocated for coastal resources management activities such as, but not limited to law enforcement and livelihood program for marginal fisherfolks’ search, training and education.
The reduced fees/rates in the proposed amended ordinance shall only be effective for three years and after which the regular rates shall apply.
In proposing the measure, Mayor Fernandez took note that fish pens are not friendly to the environment. (Leonardo Micua)
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