TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite (PIA) --The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has recommended the use og longline method in growing mussels, a new technology that is environment-friendly as it does not use bamboo and other materials that could pollute the water bodies.

Kawit Municipal Agriculture Officer Ronaldo Lontoc said that although this fishing method is fairly expensive, nonetheless he would urge the big fishing operators to shift to longline fishing while the LGU will provide assistance to the small-scale fisherfolks.

The BFAR conveyed its recommendation during the consultation meeting recently held by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) with fisherfolks, baklad and sapra operators, and mussel growers of Cavite City, Noveleta and Kawit.

This is in line with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) directive to regulate illegal fishing structures along Manila Bay and its tributaries.

Recent observations of floating bamboo poles on Manila Bay raised concerns which later on were found to be parts of the fishing structures illegally installed on Cavite waters that were believed to be washed out during the recent typhoons.

DENR (CALABARZON) Regional Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria in a previous meeting urged Cavite fisherfolks to practice environment-friendly fishing methods to promote responsible use of marine resources not only for their generation but also for the generations to come.  

Likewise, DENR-4A ARD Palencia, appealed to the fisherfolks to accomplish the objectives of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program by being sensible in their fishing activities, especially in managing their wastes.

Based on LGU data, there are 351 tahungan operators in Bacoor City, 26 illegally-installed bamboo fish traps in Cavite City, and 23 pond-type operators in Kawit, and fish pens, fish cages, and sapra operating without permit in Noveleta LGU. (Ruel B. Francisco with reports from PENRO-Cavite)