President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday clarified that the government would not impose a fishing ban on breeding sites, saying he is merely requesting fisherfolk to avoid areas where there is natural propagation.
Marcos made the clarification in a chance interview shortly after he led the distribution of rice to 2,000 beneficiaries in Iriga City, Camarines Sur.
“Hindi maganda ang pagkapaliwanag ko. Hindi fishing ban ang pinag-usapan ko. Ang sinasabi ko, kung saan ‘yung breeding area ng isda, ‘wag tayong mangingisda doon para dumami ‘yung isda (I did not explain it well. I was not talking about a fishing ban. What I’m saying is, where the breeding areas of the fish are, let us not fish there so that the fish could multiply),” said Marcos.
Marcos stressed the imposition of a fishing ban will be unlikely as the fisherfolk rely on fishing livelihood.
But said he wants to restrict fishing in breeding grounds to increase the fish population.
“Pero walang fishing ban. Hindi naman makakapaghanapbuhay ang tao. Padadamihin nga natin yung isda. Kausap ko kanina ‘yung mga mangingisda. Sabi nila talagang nabawasan na ‘yung huli nila (But there’s no fishing ban. People could not make a living. We have to increase the fish population. I was talking to the fishermen earlier. They said their catch has really decreased),” he pointed out.
He also underscored the importance of protecting fish breeding grounds to ensure an abundant supply of fish in the Philippines and to ensure that fisherfolk’s source of income will not be affected.
In a media interview during a rice distribution activity in Zamboanga City last Tuesday, Marcos said he is considering imposing several restrictions to secure the country’s fish supply
He said there’s a need to address overfishing and boost the country’s aquaculture, lamenting the sector’s challenges, including low catch, because of the destruction of fish breeding areas.
Meanwhile, Marcos assured the government is implementing programs to put up more cold storage facilities to prevent spoilage.
Up to 30 percent of fish catch is degraded or damaged, he noted.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources earlier bared its plan to further boost the country’s fisheries sector to contribute to economic growth.
This is anchored to Marcos’ push for the protection and conservation of the country’s natural resources to achieve food security and sustainability.