ps88 Oceana PH asks gov’t to step up efforts vs illegal fishing, over fishing
Updated:2024-12-07 11:09 Views:104
Stock image of fish/INQUIRER FILES
International advocacy organization Oceana Philippines is calling on the government to enhance transparency efforts and strengthen collaboration among government offices to resolve issues on illegal fishing, overfishing, and resource depletion.
In a statement on Friday, Oceana Philippines said they are appealing for the disclosure and sharing of data from vessel tracking devices installed in commercial fishing vessels nationwide as it flagged the increasing trend of apparent commercial fishing vessels inside municipal waters in past years.
Article continues after this advertisementData provided by the organization showed the number of supposedly commercial fishing vessels treading municipal waters reached 28,822 as of November this year, an uptick of 9.6 percent from 26,295 in 2022.
FEATURED STORIES BUSINESS The Seasons Residences elevates PH real estate with a taste of Japan BUSINESS Firmer peso snaps PSEI lose streak BUSINESS Tiger Resort makes P5.24-B exit from AsiabestOceana Philippines said the year-end figure of 44,924 vessels recorded in 2019 were illegally operating inside municipal waters.
The group explained that figures were derived from the online platform called Karagatan Patrol, which was launched in 2019 to provide the government with leads of apparent commercial fishing vessels sailing in municipal waters based on the night lights detected by Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) technology.
Article continues after this advertisement“Transparency for this data and effective collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders are indispensable if we must address persistent overfishing and illegal fishing which are causing the decline of fish population,” Oceana Philippines vice president Gloria Estenzo Ramos said.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Oceana: Restore fisheries abundance to fight hunger, poverty in PH
Article continues after this advertisementOceana Philippines suggested that the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), tasked with managing the country’s fishery and aquatic resources, provide concerned government agencies and local government units access to monitoring, control, and surveillance mechanisms.
PANGISDA Pilipinas president Pablo Rosales said there is a need to fast-track reforms in governing fisheries resources in the Philippines due to the state’s continuous failure to protect the livelihood of artisanal and municipal fisherfolk.
Article continues after this advertisement“Rules are in place for BFAR to fully implement transparency of information to improve compliance and knowledge for sustainable fisheries management. Yet, its adamant refusal to share locational information of commercial fishing vessels to our enforcers is against the clear mandate under these rules,” Rosales said.
READ: Fish production in PH down 60-80% amid West Philippine Sea issue, overfishing
Back in July, Oceana Philippines wrote a letter to the BFAR asking the status of implementing Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 266, particularly the number of apprehended fishing vessels or those violators of fisheries laws and regulations.
This policy requires commercial fishing vessels operating in domestic waters and distant waters to install a vessel monitoring system.
Citing the government’s update, the group said 90 percent of commercial fishing vessels have installed transponders, however, BFAR refused to provide the list of commercial fishing vessels that have violated policies on fisheries.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said last September that climate change affected stock distribution and fishing efficiency while overfishing, resource depletion and illegal fishing threaten local tuna resources.
Tiu Laurel outlined the Department of Agriculture’s initiatives to beef up the tuna industry, including the adoption of a National Tuna Management Plan unveiled in 2018, a blueprint for sustainable management and combating illegal fishing activities.
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The global tuna market was valued at approximately $42 billion in 2023ps88, according to the DA.
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