Blast, cyanide fishing in Subic Bay worse than before–officials
By Patrick Roxas
Central Luzon Bureau - The Manila Times
August 24, 2003
OLONGAPO, PHILIPPINES–The use of illegal fishing methods is fast destroying the aquatic resources of this province, threatening the livelihood of local fishermen, local officials said.
Barangay Barretto Chairman Carlito Baloy in Olongapo, a former head of the Bantay Dagat in Subic Bay for ten years, said dynamite and cyanide fishing have increased, becoming a serious concern.
“Those using illegal fishing methods are more daring than before,” he said.
He lamented that since his former group was not as active as before in watching over the waters of Subic Bay illegal fishers were able to do their activities almost unhampered.
He said there is actually no need to patrol the bay to stop the illegal fishers, but what authorities should do is assign a fish examiner in San Antonio, Subic town and Olongapo to check if the fishes caught were through dynamite fishing.
Subic PNP chief Jerry Sumbad, member of the Task Force Kalikasan formed recently to fight illegal fishing, said what the task force is doing right now is identifying who are the illegal fishermen in the town.
“Right now we’re doing a public awareness campaign to warn those involved in illegal fishing to stop their activities,” Sumbad said.
The task force, according to him, is composed of representatives from the local government unit of Subic, the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Police, Bantay Dagat and the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council.
In Iba, Zambales, Vice Governor Ramon Lacbain suspects the growing number of fishermen who have increased their haul maybe using cyanide.
He said fish poisoned by cyanide are dangerous to consumers. These poisoned fish are sold in various public markets in the province, he added.
“There is now an urgent need for a regional cyanide detection test laboratory to end all these illegal fishing activities before they get worse,” Lacbain said.
By Patrick Roxas
Central Luzon Bureau - The Manila Times
August 24, 2003
OLONGAPO, PHILIPPINES–The use of illegal fishing methods is fast destroying the aquatic resources of this province, threatening the livelihood of local fishermen, local officials said.
Barangay Barretto Chairman Carlito Baloy in Olongapo, a former head of the Bantay Dagat in Subic Bay for ten years, said dynamite and cyanide fishing have increased, becoming a serious concern.
“Those using illegal fishing methods are more daring than before,” he said.
He lamented that since his former group was not as active as before in watching over the waters of Subic Bay illegal fishers were able to do their activities almost unhampered.
He said there is actually no need to patrol the bay to stop the illegal fishers, but what authorities should do is assign a fish examiner in San Antonio, Subic town and Olongapo to check if the fishes caught were through dynamite fishing.
Subic PNP chief Jerry Sumbad, member of the Task Force Kalikasan formed recently to fight illegal fishing, said what the task force is doing right now is identifying who are the illegal fishermen in the town.
“Right now we’re doing a public awareness campaign to warn those involved in illegal fishing to stop their activities,” Sumbad said.
The task force, according to him, is composed of representatives from the local government unit of Subic, the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Police, Bantay Dagat and the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council.
In Iba, Zambales, Vice Governor Ramon Lacbain suspects the growing number of fishermen who have increased their haul maybe using cyanide.
He said fish poisoned by cyanide are dangerous to consumers. These poisoned fish are sold in various public markets in the province, he added.
“There is now an urgent need for a regional cyanide detection test laboratory to end all these illegal fishing activities before they get worse,” Lacbain said.
