In response to reports of dynamite or blast fishing in the municipal water, the local government unit (LGU) of Daanbantayan under the leadership of Mayor Sun J. Shimura has intensified its campaign against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Mayor Shimura, together with the Bantay Dagat, Civil Security Officer Renato Benatiro and Daanbantayan Police Chief PMAJ William Homoc, conducted meetings and dialogues with fisher folks of Brgy. Tapilon, Sitio Tagasa Maya, and fishermen associations.
During the dialogue, the fishermen were made to understand about the detrimental effects of blast fishing to our local economy and the marine ecosystem. Blast fishing create an unsafe feeling for tourist divers and put their well being at risk that could jeopardize our reputation as a safe diving destination. In addition, using dynamite instantly kills fish and destroys both the food chain and the corals where the fish nest and grow. The mayor assured them that they have the freedom to fish in the municipal water, adding that fishers in other and nearby towns are prohibited from our fishing grounds so that local fisher folks can enjoy the bounty of our sea. He reminded them, however, that method of fishing must be within the parameters of law. Mayor Shimura averred that the LGU is continually doing everything to protect the interest of our fishermen for as long as they refrain from engaging in illegal fishing activities, particularly dynamite or blast fishing.
The fishermen have agreed to work with the LGU to curb, if not eliminate, illegal fishing and vowed to become stewards of the ocean. They reaffirmed their commitment to stop fish-bombing activities to ensure that safety and well-being of tourists and recreational divers are given utmost importance towards sustainable dive tourism. Not to mention that we have deputized fish wardens and this lately we have purchased a speedboat to strongly and seriously address the matter.
