BACOLOD City – A Negros Occidental solon has called for support for the blue swimming crab fisherfolk in Western Visayas.
The Philippine blue swimming crabs are internationally recognized as unsustainably fished, according to 3rd District’s Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez during the launch of the First Regional Congress of Panay-Negros-Guimaras Crab Fishers Alliciance (PANEG-CA) at the Negros Residences on Dec. 18.
The regional congress brought together fisherfolk from Negros, Panay and Guimaras for them to collaborate in balancing economic needs with ecological sustainability.
“Issues such as habitat damage and overfishing continue to exert significant pressure on our blue swimming crab population,” he said, adding that fishing mortality rates are too high and getting sufficiently alarming.
He then emphasized the need for hatcheries to replenish the population, the creation of reserved areas, and implementing closed seasons to give crabs time to grow.
“Kung mahimu ta ni nga tatlo, makuha ang aton red flag sa blue swimming crabs,” the solon said.
Meanwhile, he lauded the unity of fisherfolk from Panay, Guimaras and Negros, emphasizing the necessity to transcend political boundaries and adopt a whole-of-nation approach to ecosystem-based fisheries management.
“Kinahanglan tanan kita ga-updanay, tanan kita ga-abide, para mabuligan ta gid ang ecosystem sang kasag nga liwat magbangon,” the solon stressed.
He also assured fisherfolk that he will continue to help them achieve democratic and sustainable fisheries.
Benitez is the author of the Blue Economy Bill, which seeks to mandate agencies to coordinate zoning for fishing grounds, transport, and other uses for the seas and oceans./PN
