FISHING HOLIDAY
— Thousands of fishermen roll out into the streets instead of setting out to sea to stage a protest of limitations imposed on their daily catch under the amended Philippine Fisheries Code, yesterday. Gathering here on Roxas Boulevard fronting Manila Bay, they later marched to Mendiola.
Several groups of fishermen trooped to Mendiola, Manila yesterday and sought an audience with President Aquino to protest the looming fishing ban to be imposed in Manila Bay by September which they fear would 'bring death to the local fishing industry'.
Fishermen from Bataan, Cavite, Bulacan and Navotas gathered in the area for about a couple of hours and held a program where they aired their sentiments against Republic Act 10654 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.
The fishermen, represented by the United Transport Workers’ Organization fisherfolks (UNTWO) and Samahan ng mga Mangingisda sa Manila Bay, said the new law would greatly affect the livelihood of small-scale fishermen that would cause a domino effect and diminish the supply of fish in the market.
The fishermen denied they are to blame for the destruction of corals and emphasized that they, too, are against dynamite fishing. Blame commercialism, not fishermen
“Government reclamation projects are to blame for the destruction of Manila Bay. They covered the reefs when they built MOA. Now, they are set to reclaim more hectares to build more casinos, entertainment parks, hotels and condominiums…we are calling on President Aquino to please hear our plight. Many will die of hunger if this law is enforced,” UNTWO said in a statement.
In Mendiola, UNTWO President Nick Mariano stood atop a truck, oblivious to the noontime heat and addressed the anxious crowd.
“I have been fishing for four decades but never once was I able to receive even a single grain of rice from the government. We are earning through our own sweat. The government should help us. We do not want to become a public nuisance. We are working hard. Why are they doing this to us?” Mariano said in the vernacular.
Three of Mariano’s four children have graduated from college but he fears his youngest, an 11-year-old girl, would not be able to reach tertiary education if the ‘oppressive’ law is enforced.
Among the provisions of the law include penalties if caught fishing with the use of explosives or poisonous substances or electricity.
The law “Any person found liable for the actual use of explosives, noxious or poisonous substances shall be punished with confiscation of catch including those not caught illegally if co-mingled with those caught illegally, gear, explosives and noxious or poisonous substances, or electrofishing devices and paraphernalia and gear, and an administrative fine equivalent to five (5) times the value of the catch or the amount of fine indicated below whichever is higher,” RA 10654 said.
It also prohibits and penalizes the use of active gear in fishing in municipal waters, bays and other fishery management areas. An active gear is a fishing device characterized by the pursuit of the target species by towing, pushing the gears, surrounding, covering, dredging, and scaring the target species to impoundments.
Penalties for the use of active fishing gear is rated at for small-scale commercial fishing and for large-scale commercial fishing.
‘Unfair’
“The penalty is too big and we cannot pay that. We inherited this livelihood from our ancestors. This is unfair to us,” Mariano said.
Fish Traders Association president, Dr. Mario San Pascual said RA 10654 would kill the local fishing industry.
The fisherfolks were disappointed they were unable to talk with President Aquino yesterday. They vowed to keep coming back to Mendiola until they are able to bring their sentiments to the President himself.