Chan to go after fishermen engage in dynamite fishing

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan has strongly condemned the reprehensible practice of dynamite fishing in Punta West in the city.

“We will take necessary measures to prosecute individuals involved in illegal fishing practices,” Chan said in a statement.

The mayor’s statement was in reaction to a post of netizen named Jeffrey Lim, a doctor by profession, who posted in his Facebook post about the “aftermath of dynamite fishing.”

Lim, in his post, said they saw dead fish in the bottom of the dive site that they were going to.

“As we approached our favorite dive site in Punta West, we noticed a large cluster of small fishing boats in the shallow area of Punta West. Many boats started to leave as we arrived. We noticed they were free diving for fish. As we descended for our dive in the deeper area…apparently someone was using blast fishing on a school of sardines and many of the stunned or dead fish fell to the bottom in the deeper area which was out of reach of the diving fishermen,” Lim said.

He is also calling the attention of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to be more vigilant and prosecute these fishermen with despicable practices.

Chan said that the local government is fully committed to enforcing strict laws and regulations against dynamite fishing.

“Once again, the Lapu-Lapu City government firmly denounces dynamite fishing within our jurisdiction, acknowledging its illegality and the severe damage it causes to the environment, marine ecosystems, and the livelihoods of local fishing communities. The use of explosives in fishing not only leads to the indiscriminate killing of fish but also inflicts significant harm on coral reefs and other crucial marine habitats,” Chan said.

The mayor will convene all coastal barangay leaders in mainland Lapu-Lapu and Olango Island, along with the Maritime Police, City Agriculture Fishery Office (CAFO), BFAR-7, and other relevant agencies with an objective of establishing a robust monitoring and surveillance systems to effectively detect and deter such activities.

Chan added that they are actively collaborating with relevant authorities to ensure the “preservation and sustainable management of our marine resources as it is crucial to recognize that tourism plays a vital role in the economy of Lapu-Lapu City.” —/GAN (FREEMAN)