Let sea recover, fishing companies urged

CEBU, Philippines - Environmental group Greenpeace is calling on the fishing industry to ensure food security this year by allowing the seas to “recover.”

In a statement, Greenpeace Philippines said illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing –especially with the use of destructive methods – have wreaked havoc on the country’s once-abundant fishing grounds.

A report of the National Stock Assessment Program of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources revealed that 10 out of 13 fishing grounds are already heavily exploited, leading to the phenomenal decline of fish catch.

Simultaneously, the income of municipal fishers also declined, with the highest po-verty incidence level at 39.1 percent among fisherfolk.

The country has a stronger Fisheries Code that can protect municipal waters and artisanal fishers but commercial fishers should help support it by being compliant and transparent in their fishing practices.

“We need to build a strong united front against overfishing in order to isolate and take out unsustainable fishing from our waters,” the statement reads.

This year is said to be crucial in advancing the gains to protect the oceans as 2015 laid down the necessary foundation to allow seas to recover.

This is aside from the amended fisheries law, wherein major hotels and restaurants declared they will only source and serve sustainably caught fish.  (FREEMAN)