MANILA, Philippines — With teams calling for the reversal of a Supreme Court docket (SC) ruling that granted fishing firms entry to municipal waters, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan has careworn that any modifications should each prioritize the welfare of fisherfolk and nationwide meals safety.
Yamsuan in an announcement on Monday mentioned he met with key officers of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Assets (BFAR), to debate attainable payments that may make sure the safety of small fisherfolk.
BFAR just lately got here out with an announcement of their very own, saying that they’re pushing for the reversal of the SC determination that allowed industrial fishing in municipal waters, because it has impacted the livelihood of small fisherfolk, and the quantity of marine sources out there.
READ: BFAR appeals SC ruling permitting industrial fishing in municipal waters
Beneath the SC determination, industrial fishing vessels had been allowed to function throughout the 15-kilometer municipal water zone.
READ: Petition filed vs SC ruling on big-scale fishing on the town waters
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“Our major considerations listed below are the livelihood and welfare of our 2.5 million small-scale fisherfolk, and our meals safety. We have to be sure that the impression of each determination made wouldn’t imperil efforts to spice up our meals safety and endanger the sustainability of our marine sources,” Yamsuan, chairperson of the Home of Representatives’ committee on aquaculture and fisheries sources, mentioned.
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“Kailangan din natin mapangalagaan ang kapakanan ng ating mga maliliit na mangingisda na nanatiling pinakamahirap na sektor sa ating bansa. Our actions ought to enhance their welfare, not drive them deeper into poverty,” he added.
(We additionally must care for our small fisherfolk’s welfare, who stay to be among the many poorest sectors within the nation. Our actions ought to enhance their welfare, not drive them deeper into poverty.)
Yamsuan mentioned he referred to as for the assembly with BFAR after a number of fishers’ organizations, native authorities items, and civil society teams appealed for the reversal of the SC determination.
Final January 2, fisherfolk and activists from civil society teams like Oceana Philippines and the Philippine Motion for Local weather Justice submitted a petition to SC contesting its determination because it supposedly has a detrimental impression on the surroundings too.
The SC determination stemmed from a case involving the Mercidar Fishing Corp. petition on the problem. The Malabon Regional Trial Court docket dominated in favor of Mercidar, whereas SC upheld the decrease courtroom’s ruling.
In keeping with Yamsuan, BFAR officer-in-charge Director Isidro Velayo Jr. mentioned that the company has been coordinating with the Workplace of the Solicitor Normal (OSG) about looking for a reversal of the SC ruling—noting that the choice just isn’t but ultimate.
The lawmaker mentioned that the SC determination may have “far-reaching destructive penalties” to the persevering with decline of fish caught over the nation’s seas.
Knowledge from the Philippine Statistics Authority, shared by Yamsuan, confirmed that the Philippines produced 1.02 million metric tons (MT) of fish within the second quarter of 2024—down by 6.2 p.c from the 1.07 million MT from the identical interval in 2023.
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“Filipinos rely closely on fish and different seafood as their major supply of protein, which is why we should always stay vigilant in safeguarding and conserving our fisheries and aquatic sources,” he mentioned.