‘Defy planned ban on galunggong fishing’

LUCENA CITY , Philippines   â€“ A fisherfolk’s group yesterday urged fishermen and small-scale operators of fishing vessels in Palawan, the Mindoro provinces, Romblon and Marinduque to defy a planned government ban on catching “galunggong” (blue mackerel scad).

“Let us all defy this stupid and grandiose project that would stop us from sourcing our daily survival in the waters of Palawan and the rest of Mimaropa. The proposed plan has no legal, moral and political basis,” said Salvador France, vice chairman of the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is eyeing the “galunggong” fishing ban to allow the fish population to grow. Earlier, it imposed a similar ban on sardine fishing in the Visayan Sea and Zamboanga Peninsula, but this has been lifted.