Fisherfolk,
conservation groups call on Duterte to end illegal fishing in 6 months
Press Release
June 21, 2016
QUEZON CITY – A week
before President-elect Rodrigo Duterte assumes office, leaders of
fisherfolk and marine conservation groups bared their recommendations
toward improving the lot of fishing communities and the health of the
country’s marine ecosystems by putting an end to crimes happening at
sea and in coastal communities. In a presentation to media today, the
groups also called for the creation of a separate Department of Oceans
and Fisheries to be able to better plan, monitor and implement reforms
and contribute towards food security.
“We are here to request for
a dialogue and to remind incoming President Duterte of his campaign
promise to address fishers’ and marine issues, and to end very high
poverty incidence among people directly relying on seas for food and
for a living. His administration will play a critical role in the
country’s transition to sustainable fishing. We expect nothing less
than strong, resolute implementation of the amended fisheries law
against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF). Doing less
is a disservice to millions of Filipinos who have been clamoring for
change,” said Vince Cinches, oceans campaigner of Greenpeace
Philippines.
According to data from the
Philippine Statistics Authority in 2014, the poverty incidence among
fisherfolk reached 39.2 in 2012, the highest among the basic sectors
of society, followed by farmers at 38.3%, and children at 35.2%.
“Coherent and holistic
programs should especially be quickly put in place that recognize our
vulnerability to climate change. We need focused and sustained efforts
in combating crimes against the oceans and to allow a better playing
field for our small fishers and fishing communities. We strongly urge
the incoming administration to target an end to illegal fishing within
their first six months of office,” said Dennis Calvan, executive
director of the NGOs for Fisheries Reform.
During the election campaign
period, fishers, marine conservationists and environmental groups
pushed for the 10-Point Blue Agenda to be taken up by the Presidential
candidates. This includes the delineation of municipal waters; the
implementation of traceability mechanisms for fishery products;
sustainable fishing; and capacity-building for fisherfolk to better
adapt to climate change.
“To ensure the
sustainability of our fishery resources and secure the livelihood of
our Filipino fishers for long-term economic prosperity and food
security, we strongly support the creation of a Department of Oceans
and Fisheries for improved fisheries governance and strict enforcement
of Republic Act 10654,” said Joann Binondo, overall project manager of
the WWF – Partnership Program for Sustainable Tuna.
“We call on the new
administration to immediately address the crime of illegal fishing and
start rehabilitating our overfished waters. We look forward to seeing
political will in the new government’s campaign against crime to
include its focus on prosecuting plunderers of our oceans, to protect
the people’s right to healthy marine ecosystems and ensure food
security for all Filipinos,” said Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice
president of Oceana Philippines.