Aris consults mayors on legislating

3 ton boats into municipal waters

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Feb 17 (PIA) –In the spirit of participative governance, Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado opened to the mayors of the coastal towns in Bohol a proposal to open some portions of the municipal waters for small commercial fishing operations.

Calling for the first Agri-fishery Consultative Meeting held at the Capitol’s Ceremonial Hall, Aumentado through Capitol Fisheries consultant and former Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regional director Al Piloton, showed that Republic Act 10654 or the act amending the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, has provided a leeway for LGUS to allow small commercial fishers into the municipal water through an ordinance.

The consultative meeting forms part of the long-term efforts to bring the fish prices down, as the governor harped during the election campaign.

The market price for fish and fishery products soared accordingly due to lack of fish supply, among other challenges.

The lack of fish supply, authorities credited to the devastation caused by typhoon Odette of 2021, and the destruction of most fishing gear and implements including already productive fish cages, fish ponds, fishing boats and implements.

According to Piloton, with 1.4 million Boholanos to feed consuming 38.5 kilograms annually, the province would need 53.9 tons of fish supply, or a whooping 147,671 kilograms per day.

The actual daily harvest, or at least the ones that land in Bohol only amount to 15,038 kilos, based on the Food Security Cluster’s monthly inventory.

Authorities also believe that with fewer surviving fishing boats and fishermen using crude and inefficient fishing methods, allowing small commercial fishers into some parts of the municipal waters by ordinance may help Bohol fill in the supply gap.

Small commercial fishing boats have far more efficient fishing gears which could gather as much compared to the usual 3 to 5 kilos of catch for every marginal fisherman, Piloton illustrated.

It may be recalled that Republic Act 8550, or the Philippine Fisheries Code designated the first 15 kilometers from the shoreline as municipal waters and the designated fishing grounds for marginal fishers.

Commercial fishers or at least using fishing boats weighing 3.1 to 50 gross tons and medium scale commercial fishers with boats weighing 50.1 to 159 gross tons could only operate outside of the designated 15 kilometers from the coastline seawards.

Piloton, in his presentation however revealed that LGUS are now given a leeway by legislating the entry and operation of small commercial fishing boats from 10.1 kilometers seaward.

He said, fish spawn within the first five kilometers from the coastlines, and within the 10 kilometers, there is a good amount of fish waiting to be harvested.

On this, municipal agricultural and fisheries officers think that the move could all the more deprive marginal fishers of catch, and further deplete maritime resources.

Carlos P. Garcia mayor Fernando Estavilla and Getafe mayor Carry Camacho were also against the move.

Instead, Baclayon mayor and lawyer Alvin Uy, Garcia Hernandez mayor Jess Baja and Jagna mayor Joseph Ranola suggested instead on a scheme to help fishermen get more efficient fishing gear, motivate them with subsidies, strengthen enforcement and fix the municipal boundaries so encroachment issues are easier resolved.

With this, the governor is set to select a core group of experts to help mayors decide, cautiously considering the impacts of the decisions to the environment and the communities living by fishing. (PIABohol)

SHRINKING MUNICIPAL WATERS. From 15 kilometers to the coastline, the Fisheries Code has determined this to be municipal waters dedicated from marginal fishermen but the amended Code presents a leeway, explained Capitol fisheries consultant and former BFAR Regional Director Al Piloton. By legislation, LGUS may allow small commercial fishing vessels to operate in the 10.1 kilometers provided the catch would be landed in the designated port identified by the LGU who has jurisdiction of the municipal waters. (PIAbohol)