December 20, 2006

Two-year ban on fishpen operations imposed in Philippine town

The local government of Aringay, La Union province in the Philippines has ordered yesterday a two-year moratorium of fishpen operations along the Aringay River because of pollution brought by the excessive feeds and chemicals used for fish culture.

According to the Philippine Star daily, Aringay mayor Teresita Ong has directed the town's police to secure a court order for the demolition of fishpen without permits.

She said culprits in river siltation were "outsiders" or non-locale fishpen owners coming from the neighbouring provinces of Pangasinan and Baguio who do not comply with the town's fish farming rules.

The mayor added her office has been bombarded with appeals from fishermen organisations, fishpen caretakers and operators to address the problem.

She emphasised the two-year moratorium is enough to protect the river and for it to recover from pollution and siltation as well as ensuring the health of the whole Aringay community.

The filth problem in Aringay River started in 2000 when illegal fishpen operators began to crop up.

The agreement has been in concordance by the municipal government as its final resort in protecting the water reservoir as well as with small fishing farms.