DREDGING | Fish catch in Manila Bay shrinks by 70% due to dredging, reclamation

DREDGING | Fish catch in Manila Bay shrinks by 70% due to dredging, reclamation – fishers’ group

February 22, 2023 , 04:38 PM

By Clarist Zablan

(February 22, 2023) – A progressive fishers’ group on Wednesday warned that dredging and reclamation projects in Manila Bay have resulted in fewer catches, causing fish production in the water to shrink by 70 percent than before.

Fernando Hicap, chairman of Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), said reclamation projects along Manila Bay, which started in 2021, has caused fish kills, affecting the livelihood of fisherfolk communities.

“Ngayon, talagang wala nang mahuli yung mga mangingisda,” Hicap said on CignalTV’s One PH channel’s program “One Balita Pilipinas.”

“Dati, kahit yung mga ano diyan, mayroon pa, paunti-unti, pero hindi na kayang buhayin yung pang-araw-araw. Halos baka aabot ng mga 70% yung kung ikukumpara natin noong wala pang dredging and reclamation. Kung 100% iyan, baka 70% na yung nawala sa produksyon ng pangisdaan ng Manila Bay.”

Earlier, the group has officially written the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, seeking a dialogue to discuss the issues surrounding dredging activities in Manila Bay.

Hicap said Manila Bay has been a spawning area and breeding area for various species of fishes such as catfish (kanduli) and sardines, but dredging projects have caused these to diminish.

“Yung epekto ng pagkawala ng isda at pagkaunti ng huli ay ‘yung buong Manila Bay. Kaya ‘yung lahat ng mga probinsya na nakapalibot sa Manila Bay, hindi na alam kung ano ang gagawin. Marami ang huminto na sa pangingisda,” said Hicap.

At least 46 reclamation projects are being planned in Manila Bay, affecting more than 32,000 hectares of fishing waters, the fishers’ group has said.

Environmental groups have protested against these projects such as the Pasay Harbor City Reclamation Project and reclamation done as part of the construction of the 2,500-hectare Bulacan Aerotropolis, due to concerns this would damage marine ecosystems in the area.

The groups have urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos. Jr to revoke all environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) for reclamation projects in Manila Bay.

Last year, Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga gave assurance to senators that the Marcos administrations will carefully review the government’s reclamation policy, citing a need to approach the issue in a scientific manner.

(MM)

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