The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Riza Lozada
Government indifference is slowly killing the local fishing industry, according to Panagat, an informal network of more than 20 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) advocating policy reforms in the fisheries sector.
The group said that, while the Philippines was among the top fish-producing countries of the world, apathetic government leaders had denied the industry solutions toward sustainable fisheries management and marine conservation. The National Stocks Assessment Program of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has reported that 10 out of the 13 major fishing grounds in the country were “overfished,” which contrasted with figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showing that fishermen belong to the “poorest of the poor” in the economic class. “Our way of life is closely connected to the sea. Our leaders must address these pressing issues, and uphold our constitutional right to healthy oceans,” said Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines, which is associated with Panagat.
Other members of the coalition include NGOs for Fisheries Reform, WWF-Philippines, and Greenpeace.
The group presented the “Philippine Blue Agenda for Sustainable Fisheries” during the last leg of the presidential debate last Sunday at the University of Pangasinan in Dagupan City. Panagat is calling for institutional reforms, like the establishment of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, to strengthen the regulatory functions of BFAR and address conflicting policies and overlapping functions among government agencies.
The “blue agenda” include the implementation of fisheries recovery plans, and the establishment of more marine protected areas to improve fish catch and preserve areas with a high level of marine biodiversity.
It also highlighted the need to improve fishery law enforcement and the operation of environmental courts.
“We need to strengthen our institutions, such as enforcement agencies and the courts, to ensure that our environmental rights will not be violated. More important, we need to protect our resources so we will have something to leave the future generation,” Ramos said. Am Prospero Lendio, protected area superintendent for Tañon Strait, said P4 million was allocated for two patrol boats to be used in apprehending illegal fishing boats as well as commercial fishermen who violate park rules. “We are improving our floating assets and other facilities, so we will be more consistent in patrolling Tañon Strait,” Lendio said.
Last year, the Protected Area Office and BFAR, with the local government units in Tañon Strait and the Philippine National Police (PNP) caught four commercial fishing vessels during a joint operation in the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape. “Tañon Strait is a marine biodiversity hotspot. Effective management mechanisms should be put in place, along with strong law enforcement, to ensure that this unique natural heritage is protected and safe from commercial fishing and destructive activities,” Ramos said. More than 200 members of the Protected Area Management Board discussed the enhanced General Management Plan for Tañon Strait last March 10.
“It’s important to implement the plan, to ensure the effective management of Tañon Strait in collaboration with our stakeholders,” Lendio said.
The plan aims to protect marine habitats amid the felt impacts of climate change and reduce illegal fishing in Tañon Strait through increased patrols and apprehensions, prosecution of violators, and training of law enforcers.
Oceana is providing assistance to law-enforcement personnel, especially the newly designated special prosecutors for protected areas, through training in environment and fisheries laws, in partnership with the Department of Justice, the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and BFAR. Isabelo Montejo, DENR regional director for Central Visayas, said collaboration between government agencies and civil society is critical in the protection of Tañon Strait.
“The patrol work of our courageous personnel and partners led to a significant decline in the number of commercial fishermen within the national park,” he said in a speech during the PAMB general assembly. Tañon Strait covers 42 towns and cities in Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Negros Occidental. It is a critical marine habitat for 14 species of dolphins and whales, and has extensive mangroves and coral reefs.
Oceana is the largest international organization focused solely on ocean conservation.
A press statement from the organization said Oceana wins policy victories for the oceans, using science-based campaigns.
“Since 2001, we have protected over 1.2 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea turtles, sharks, dolphins and other sea creatures. Global in scope, Oceana has offices in North, South and Central America, Europe and Asia and more than 600,000 followers all over the world.”