Carles Mayor cries foul over damaged coral reef report
Carles Mayor Felipe Bernal is back in the news limelight anew. This time amidst reported damage of the coral reef of the town's territorial waters and moves to have the area closed for fishing in at least five years.
"What damage?," Mayor Bernal asked while saying he strongly objects any official attempt to ban fishing activities in the identified site.
The 'damaged coral reef' report was submitted by a non-governmental group, Visayan Sea Squadron that disclosed of some 99% destruction of the reef by Isla Higante.
As such, the Visayan Sea Squadron recommended for the closure of the area to commercial and small-scale fishing in order to give time for its rehabilitation and prevent further damage.
Bernal admitted that all reefs in the territorial waters of Carles has not since been the same yet denied it is "99% scale."
This, as said Carles Mayor pointed out the personalities behind the Visayan Sea Squadron as those who has since been his critics and opponents in politics.
The Estancia Municipal Council is set to deliberate on the request for fish operation banning in Isla Higante and nearby islands.
Lawyer Hector Teodosio, Bernal's mayoralty opponent in 2004, heads the Visayan Sea Squadron.
The group reportedly sought the help of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) regarding their recommendation.
Meanwhile, objections were raised by small-scale fishers on the planned ban saying fishing is their only source of livelihood. And being small-scale fishers they have nowhere else to go but the sea waters of northern Iloilo.
Governor Niel Tupas, Sr., for his part, reportedly objected to the proposed closure of Carles waters from fishing.
He said doing it would be too much as it will affect mostly small fishermen who merely depend on fishing for their livelihood.
The governor said there are other ways in which to protect Iloilo's fishing grounds from further destruction other than closing it from fishing activities.