Illegal fishing threatens manta ray tourism in the Philippines

Illegal fishing threatens Manta Ray Bowl in Masbate
EA Delgado, Philippines Information Agency 4 Nov 08;

Masbate City (4 November) -- Professional divers are pressing for government actions to put a stop to illegal fishing in the towns of San Jacinto and Monreal in the province of Masbate which can be made world's famous by manta ray that have made their waters a dwelling and feeding ground.

The divers warned that unless illegal fishing was stopped, the manta ray would leave the area and could nip the bright prospects for a tourism industry that could help the adjoining towns survive the difficulties.

San Jacinto and Monreal have been noticed by divers from other countries because of the presence of manta ray in their municipal waters.

Concerned residents of Ticao Island said commercial fishing vessel locally known as "pangulong" and "palupad" as well as blast fishermen continue to operate in San Jacinto and Monreal despite of efforts to stop them.

Blast fishing involves the use of explosives to kill or stun fish so that they could easily be scooped into a boat.

"Palupad" or baby trawl fishing, on the other hand, entails scrapping the bottom of the sea with finely-honed nets to catch fish, including the babies.

The "pangulong" has a fleet of three vessels, with massive lighting and fine mesh of nets, and a carrier. It sometimes uses a sonar boat to conceal its location while looking for a fishing spot.

There are about 15 fleets operating in Monreal and San Jacinto allegedly with protection from ranking authorities in the region.

All three practices deplete the supply of fish and damage coral reefs that serve as home to manta ray and other sea creatures.

In other fishing nets, vigilantes could be responsible for the on-and-off-and-on-again attack on fishing boats on the water off Barangay Canlibas in the municipality of Batuan that have already wrecked more than a dozen of vessels.

Known residents of Batuan and the adjoining towns of San Fernando and San Jacinto expressed this theory even as the unit of PNP Maritime Group was still investigating the incidents.

The fishing boats that were destroyed in the attacks belonged to the residents of Dimasalang.

Residents of Batuan said the talk of the town was that some marginalized fishermen in Ticao have armed themselves purposely to execute all fishermen who encroach on the waters off the island.

They said the fishermen were quite desperate in view of the apparent failure of law enforcement agencies to protect their only source of living. "They are forced by circumstances to put the law into their hands," said one in Minasbate.

The fishermen's catch was fast dwindling that they reportedly decided to kill any fishermen from other municipalities who encroach on the waters of Ticao Island. (PIA Masbate) [top]