Low catch on bangus, prawn fries noted in Arevalo
Fishermen noted a low catch in bangus and prawn fries as oil slick reached portions of the coastal barangays in Arevalo Thursday last week. They fear that the stock of fries will be affected should the oil slick continue to expand.
Barangay Captain Antonio Lanceta of Sto. Nino Sur, Arevalo said a number of fishermen complained that their catch lowered after patches of oil sludge were spotted in the shores.
Lanceta said some of the fishermen used to collect 300 to 500 pieces of bangus and prawn fries in just one day of working in the shoreline. The fry gatherers locally known as "manogsemilia" used to catch a big number of fries especially this peak season.
He said the peak season for bangus and prawn fry is from June to December. It is unlikely for the fishermen to have a less catch during the peak season. These fishermen are using a fine mesh net just like a mosquito net to catch fish fry.
A fish fry usually has the size from 1-2.5 centimeters. It is so small and delicate that it needs fine nets in order to catch them.
Lanceta said if the aquatic pollution brought about by the oil spill in Guimaras will affect the capacity of his residents to earn a living. Almost 70 percent of the residents are relying on the catch they can have in the shores.
He said 1,000 pieces of prawn fries cost P250 while 1,000 pieces of bangus fry cost at P500. The daily income of the fishermen is already affected even if the oil slick just hit the city days ago.
"The barangay residents are helping each other to contain the problem," said Lanceta.