Fishermen lambast galunggong importation

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines — A group representing the country’s small fisherfolks decried yesterday the government’s plan to allow the liberal importation of scud fish or galunggong.

Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) president Fernando Hicap said the “proposal of Agriculture Secretary   Emmanuel Piñol to allow importation of galunggong for direct sale to market prior  to the closed fishing season in  November would further downgrade the value of aquatic and marine products of Filipino fisherfolks.”

Hicap said Piñol would be allowing not only traders, but also fisherfolks and fish vendor associations to import.

“Piñol’s proposal is absurd. He knows that small fisherfolks are incapable of importing fish and only commercial fishing firms and giant traders will benefit from this import-dependent scheme. Piñol will facilitate the profit-generation of traders and importers to detriment of Filipino fishers,” Hicap said.

Hicap warned that “flooding the local market with imported fish products would put the local food producers at the losing end.”

Pamalakaya also questioned the planned closed fishing season for  galunggong amid reports that production declined by 9.5 percent in the first half as reported by  the Philippine Statistics Authority.

“Only giant commercial fishing fleets will benefit from the closed fishing season as they are the ones who exploit the fish species in the municipal waters,” the group said.

Based on statistics, commercial fishers account for  17.8 percent of galunggong produce, while small fishers produce only 6.2 percent,.

“This means galunggong harvest is being monopolized by big fish firms and the ban will  only  allow galunggong reproduction.