The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has finished counting the alleged “illegal” fishing structures, mussels, and shell farms such as sapras and baklad in Cavite province.
The department is set to issue a Notice of Demolition, confirmed DENR-Calabarzon regional director Nilo Tamoria.
He said they have counted 954 “illegal” structures, and more than 400 of them will be mussel farms.
But the DENR will still work with local governments in Cavite to regulate the mussel farms.
Based on the sea category in Cavite, this is an “SB” or “swim and bath” category where only mussels will be allowed to be placed here.
That’s all because there are already too many shelter structures in the area that need repair.
“Sa SB quality level ng tubig, tatlo lang ang puwedeng activities. Sa fishery, yung mussel production lang ang puwede tsaka honing ng fry… May regulasyon din yan based sa Fisheries Code. Dahil nagkakalat na, sinasabi naman nila di nila iniisyuhan ng permit, pero sa context ng SB quality of water, puwede yung tahungan… I-regulate lang in such a way na talagang ma-zonify yung use ng city water which is the mandate ng LGU,” said Tamoria.
DENR continues demolition of Cavite fishing structures
It is said that too many fish cages and fish traps that are sapra and baklad also damage the water quality.
“Yung fish cages, nagde-depend yung kinulong mong mga isda sa feeds. So impact agad yun sa quality ng tubig kaya nga di ina-allow yun sa isang area na SB ang category,” said Tamoria.
Meanwhile, fishermen and other groups once again called on the DENR office to stop the demolition, which will destroy their livelihood there.
They said, help them get a permit and don’t remove it.
“Siguro naman madali natin pag-usapan ang permit kasi ang usapan dito ay kabuhayan ng mga mangingisda at ng pamilya nila,” said Beverly Longid, coordinator of Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation of the Philippines.
But the DENR said it was part of the mandate of them and other agencies that were also ordered by the Supreme Court to clean up Manila Bay.
The DENR expects the demolition to continue next week.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.