A dead dolphin lies on the sand in Sitio Pambutan, Barangay Canlargo in Bais City, Negros Oriental and was believed to have died of lung injuries. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Negros Oriental said the province has not reported a single case of dynamite fishing since the 1980s. (Photo courtesy of the Bais City Veterinary Office)
DUMAGUETE CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Negros Oriental has reported no cases of illegal dynamite fishing in the province since the 1980s, based on continuous monitoring.
“We have not received any reports of dynamite fishing in the province since the 1980s and after the alleged head of such illegal operations in a town in the north had died,” said Florencia Mepaña, BFAR-Negros Oriental chief told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday.
Mepaña attributed this to increased awareness among fisherfolk on severe penalties for illegal fishing.
Regular market inspections have also found no evidence of fish caught through blast fishing.
BFAR’s statement follows a recent dolphin stranding incident in Bais City, where five dead dolphins were found with suspected lung trauma from underwater blasts.
Mepaña said they will look into reports that an “innovation” involving underwater blast fishing may have caused the dolphins’ deaths.
She, however, pointed out that the marine mammals could have been out at sea in areas outside of the protected seascape, Tañon Strait, and had lost their sense of direction due to the blast, hence the stranding in Bais City. (PNA)