Dagupan fisherfolk warn of fishkill due to polluted rivers

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — At least 700 fishponds owners, operators, and fisherfolk in this city fear the possible threat of a massive fishkill due to worsening pollution and siltation of rivers, here.

Alfredo Dawana, president of the Fishpond Owners, Operators, Fisherfolk Association of Dagupan, Inc. (FOOFADCI), said there is something fishy going on in the management of Dagupan City’s rivers and tributaries by the City Agriculture Office (CAO).

Dawana said polluted water was caused by the proliferation of illegal fish pens under the watch of City Agriculturist Emma Molina.

He claimed that the clean river of the city is again being polluted because of a malpractice in the use of fish cages and even blamed continued operation of several illegal fish pens in the city’s rivers.

While he commended Mayor Belen Fernandez for what he claimed as reforms that included the supposed ban of illegal fish pens and shift to the production of high-value fish, Dawana accused Molina of allegedly not following through with the program.

He said Molina allegedly allowed fish pens to mushroom in the city’s rivers for bangus culture that led to massive pollution and siltation in the rivers.

Dawana said that some illegal fish pen owners are claiming they are being “protected.” Molina could not be reached for comment yesterday.