PB: Protecting Tañon Strait pays off

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Board is calling for the continuous drive in protecting the Tañon Strait against commercial fishing as Oceana reported towns can get as much as 30 times the yield when they invest in fisheries protection.

During its regular session last Monday, the PB passed a resolution sponsored by Board Member Thadeo Jovito Ouano requesting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources through the assistance of the local government units to continue its drive in protecting the Tañon Strait.

“There is a need to intensify their campaign by educating the fishermen and conducting operations against violators, so deployment of patrol boats must be done in areas where illegal and destructive fishing are rampant,” Ouano said.

Tañon Strait is restricted from commercial fishing to protect and conserve marine resources, yet intrusion by commercial fishing vessels at the Tañon Strait Protected System remains a common violation.

DENR reportedly admitted the lack of resources is a major handicap for them to effectively protect the area from commercial fishers; they do not have enough patrol boats to conduct seaborne operations and just rely on the patrol boats of BFAR-7.

Ouano said DENR needs the assistance of the LGUs in protecting the Tañon Strait marine sanctuary considering that it is their own constituents that are benefiting from the resources and they are more capable of protecting their own areas.

Some local chief executives in coastal towns in Negros Oriental along Tañon Strait have confirmed the benefits that they are getting in protecting the area during the Ocean Heroes Assembly held in Cebu City last August 30.

"We invested P2 million in fisheries protection. Today, our fishers are catching at least P60 million more seafood every season," shared Bindoy Mayor Valente Yap.

Yap said they eliminated blast fishing within five years. Although it took time, their small steps eventually bore fruits.

In Manjuyod town, Mayor Felix Sy reported that their fishermen can earn over P500,000 just by growing seaweed, proving that there are many ways to produce seafood.

Launched in 2016, the Ocean Heroes Awards is a partnership between Oceana, Rare, the Tañon Strait Protected Area Office, DENR, BFAR, plus the provincial governments of Cebu, Negros Occidental, and Negros Oriental to honor courageous community leaders working to sustainably manage marine ecosystems in the Tañon Strait.

This year’s awardees are Virgilio Aviso, Renato Buenviaje, Jocelyn Moya-Hekrdle and Mariano Sarcol.

“Most heroes are recognized when they die, but Oceana celebrates those who not just live –but actively fight to keep our oceans alive,” said Moya-Hekrdle.

Through strong collaborations, Tañon Strait Park Superintendent Am Prospero Lendio vowed to end illegal fishing within the park.

The Tañon Strait is a 161-kilometer strip dividing the provinces of Cebu and Negros Island. The strait is one of the largest and most productive Marine Protected Areas in the country, hosting 63 percent of the country’s coral species and 14 types of whales and dolphins. It also provides food and livelihood for 42 towns, cities and municipalities.

“Our ocean heroes are the vanguards and voices, the protectors of Tañon Strait,” said Oceana Vice President Gloria Estenzo-Ramos.

“By ensuring that its reefs are spared from illegal commercial and small-scale fishing, we can maximize the chances of reefs recovering and fish returning,” she added. (FREEMAN)