TO PREVENT MORE FISH KILL

BOLINAO— There will be no re-stocking of bangus (milkfish) in fish pens and cages for two years in three barangays here after a recent massive fish kill.

Mayor Arnold Celeste issued on June 8 an executive order declaring a moratorium on mariculture operations in barangays Luciente II, Luna and Culang.

Bolinao was hit by a massive fish kill on May 31 affecting the three barangays that resulted in huge losses to the mariculture industry and irreversible damage to the marine environment.

Executive Order No. 16, s. 2018 took effect immediately, said “…it is deemed a matter of urgency and importance that a moratorium on mariculture operations be declared in the three affected barangays to institute measures in order to prevent similar disasters from taking place in the future and to allow the area to recover,”.

Cage and pen operators have been ordered to remove the nets and not just lift them.

Fish pens and cages with surviving stocks have until November 15, 2018 to harvest.

The moratorium will be lifted after two years, provided the following are achieved:

1. Enactment of sustainable mariculture management ordinance; 2. Favorable water quality monitoring results are achieved ;  3. All illegal structures including fyke nets (locally known as pasabing) are demolished to conform with the Sustainable Mariculture Management Ordinance; 4. Upon recommendation of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; 5. Provided that the sustained mariculture operations will not economically and negatively affect fisherfolks and tourism industry.

Upon establishment of navigational lanes, mariculture area and traditional fishing grounds, the municipal mayor will issue a separate executive order to remove all illegal structures and support from the Office of the Governor, Bantay Kalikasan and other concerned agencies will be requested. (Eva Visperas)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments