Philippines Region 2 Fish Production in Yearly Decline

In the presentation of Dr. Evelyn B. Ame of BFAR, there were 20,000 metric tonnes of production in 2006, 18,000 in 2007 and only 16,000 in 2008, a constant decrease of about 2,000 metric tonnes yearly.

Ame said there are many issues and concerns affecting the aqua marine resources that caused the decrease of production.

She said the reasons are the over fishing that cause depletion of fish species, degradation of coastal habitats and environment, pollution, illegal fishing, marine mammal stranding, dredging and climate change.

"There are still illegal fishing activities in other parts of Cagayan, especially the use of dynamite, cyanide, electro fishing gadgets and other illegal forms of fishing, that affects our fishery sector," Ame said.

Ame also said that there are some parts of the coastal zones of Cagayan that are already polluted because of the garbage that were dumped into the sea.

Aside from these, Ame also said that there are technical problems that cause the decrease of fish production such as inadequate properly trained manpower of the technical team to support the fisherfolk and the implementation of fishery laws, inadequate or poor quality of seeds or fry and extreme poverty among coastal fisherfolk.

She also stressed that illegal poaching by foreign nationals also affects the fish production.

"We also validated that increase in fish production costs such oil, labor and other inputs are reasons in the decline of fish production, and also the inefficient marketing and limited financial support," Ame said.

Because of this, BFAR seeks assistance and help of other agencies most especially the financing institutions to help build programs and projects that will help address the problems arising in the declining fish production in the region.

BFAR ties up with other partner agencies to give alternative livelihood to fisherfolk and to enforce the fishery law to protect and manage the aquatic resources.