Dynamite fishers warned

The Department of Agriculture has issued a stern warning to dynamite fishers to stop their illegal activity noting the agency will be tougher in imposing sanctions on them.

Bureau of Fish and Aquatic Resources Central Visayas Regional Fisheries Research and Development Center national director Asis Perez said the agency has now officially launched its all-out war against blast fishing in the country.

The group conducted a test blast and showed that fish were killed at a distance of 65 meters from the blast site. Various life stages of the said fish species were situated at various distances to the blast site inside the pond.

“Even matured fish are seriously affected at such a distance,” Perez said.

Studies show that a 1-liter size home-made bomb could send powerful shockwaves up to a speed of 4,940 feet per second. However, in the blast test, only a low density surface primer half the efficacy of the common dynamite in fishing was used.

“In the open sea, the damage brought about by dynamite fishing is far greater considering its impact to all other aquatic life,” Perez said.

BFAR estimated that the cost of the damage for fish alone in one blast area could reach up to P 24,000.00.

“What is shocking to note is that for one fish species alone, the damage could run up to P 240 million losses per day," Perez said.

President Benigno Aquino III is serious on curbing all forms of destructive fishing with the approval of P 100M budget for BFAR’s law enforcement campaign.

“This budget could significantly improve the agency’s law enforcement capability, particularly in beefing up its personnel complement that is very much wanting," Perez said.

Fishing with explosives had been banned in the country since the seventies with the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 704 and the law was strengthened with the signing of RA 8550 in 1998.

The mere possession of explosive for illegal fishing is punishable by imprisonment ranging from six months to two years. (PNA/PIA9-ZBST)