Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) has raised concerns over the deteriorating state of the country’s marine and fishery resources, attributing it to inadequate government measures and unregulated large-scale fishing activities.
This comes in response to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr.’s recent suggestion to “relax fishing efforts” amid concerns about depleted fish stocks.
In a statement, PAMALAKAYA criticized the ongoing fishing regulations that they claim disproportionately harm small-scale and subsistence fishers.
The group expressed alarm over the potential increase in fishing bans, which they argue primarily restrict small fishers rather than large commercial operations.
“Does Secretary Laurel Jr.’s statement mean there will be more frequent, extensive, and prolonged fishing bans in our major fishing grounds? This is extremely alarming for us small fishers as we are the ones mainly subjected to strict regulations, not the big commercial fishing vessels,” said Ronnel Arambulo, Vice Chairperson of PAMALAKAYA.
Arambulo also questioned the credibility of Secretary Laurel Jr., pointing out his familial ties to the Frabelle Fishing Corporation, which operates numerous large fishing vessels not only within national waters but also in international seas.
He highlighted the corporation’s involvement in the extensive reclamation projects in Manila Bay, which are said to have significant adverse effects on the marine environment.
“If we are discussing the depletion of fish and the destruction of our seas, major businesses like Frabelle bear a significant responsibility. The destructive projects of these companies should be the ones under stringent regulation and prohibition,” Arambulo said.
The group expressed concerns about the potential justification of fish imports following the Department of Agriculture’s acknowledgment of the depleted stocks, which they fear could further disadvantage local small-scale fishers.
“As long as the government does not address the calls from fishers to halt destructive projects in our fishing grounds, the depletion of fish in our waters cannot be effectively resolved,” Arambulo said.
