June 27, 2024

 

Philippine fish supply near depletion, calls for stricter fishing controls

The supply of fish in Philippine waters is almost depleted, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr, ABS-CBN News reported.

 

At a media briefing hosted by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the former fishing tycoon emphasised the need for stricter control in fishing practices.

 

He said the Philippines needs to relax fishing efforts because the country's fish supply is already depleted and overexploited. Harvest needs to be controlled so fishery sectors will be robust again.

 

Annually, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) leads closed fishing seasons to allow fish in certain areas, such as Zamboanga and Palawan, to repopulate.

 

Laurel pointed out that both deep sea and municipal fishers have contributed to the depletion of fish in Philippine waters.

 

To meet demand and ensure a stable fish supply for consumers, BFAR is promoting aquaculture, or the man-made breeding of fish for human consumption.

 

Laurel said aquaculture is needed to propagate milkfish, tilapia, and pompano, so the Philippines' Department of Agriculture is building many hatcheries now all over the country to support the aquaculture sector.

 

Recently, the Laguna Lake Development Authority unveiled plans to maximize portions of the lake for aquaculture.

 

Agriculture Undersecretary Asis Perez also mentioned that the department is streamlining certain requirements to make it more investor-friendly, especially in aquaculture.

 

When asked about efforts to address illegal fishing, Laurel said the current situation is the result of years of illegal fishing in the country.

 

-      ABS-CBN News