'Stop illegal fishing, save coral reefs'
Alarmed by the current status of the coral reefs in the town of Carles, Iloilo, former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) chief Angel Alcala urged local officials to run after illegal fishing financiers to fully stop illegal fishing activities in the area.
Alcala stressed, illegal fishing activities have caused the "worst destruction in the coral reefs" which would take 20 years to rehabilitate.
Carles along with Bantayan in Cebu, have the richest marine resources inside the Visayan Sea triangle, said Alcala, but decades of abuse and illegal fishing from the use of fine meshed nets, blast fishing and cyanide fishing decimated the corals.
He said the government should already act on the issues concerning the country's marine reserve and reef fisheries management not only in Carles but in the entire country. There are already lots of talking but nothing has been done to accelerate the protection in both sea and land reserves, said Alcala.
Alcala who is now with the Silliman University Angelo King Center of Research and Environmental Management (SUAKCREM) said the reports on the destruction of coral reefs in Carles has reached their attention.
Prior to Alcala's recent visit to Iloilo City, the Visayan Sea Squadron came out with findings regarding their 2007 Visayan Sea Expedition. Their findings showed coral reefs in Carles are totally gone. The expedition covered 17 sites in Iloilo, Masbate, Negros and Bantayan Island in Cebu. The expedition started from April 16 to May 16.
Report from the Visayas Sea Squadron, a non-government organization protecting the rich Visayas sea described the state of coral reefs in Carles as miserable. They could not find a single 100 to 200 square meters of coral. What appeared to their eyesight were rubbles possibly remains of destroyed corals. The area appeared to be cemented.
According to Insp. Remias Alabaren, chief of police of the Carles municipal police station, illegal fishing activities have been "minimized" after the fisherfolks were made to understand the disadvantages brought about by blast fishing in the municipal waters and on their source of living.
Alabaren, in a telephone interview said, they are conducting a continuous information dissemination campaign in the coastal barangays to provide information among the residents on the importance of engaging in a non-destructive fishing activities.
Though, their campaign is stalled by lack of vehicles for mobility and budget for gasoline, Alabaren is optimistic that they will continue to lessen if not eradicate the illegal fishing activities in Carles. For the 3rd quarter of 2007, more or less 40 people were apprehended for illegal fishing offense.
The chief of police is likewise hoping that the municipal officials will provide them adequate support in curbing all forms of illegal fishing activities in Carles.
Alabaren lamented that they only borrow vehicles in their inland operation and pumpboats from their friends when they go to the seas to conduct patrol operations.