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Condition of fishery resources


Condition of fishery resources

The Philippine fishery resources consist of inland, coastal and offshore waters.

Inland waters includes lakes, rivers, freshwater swamps and fishponds. The recent development on modernization brought about by country's attempts towards industrialization has directly affected the ecological balance of the coastal waters. The abruptly planned locations sites of manufacturing and processing plants adversely affect the conditions of coastal environment. Thus, the improper or poorly managed disposal of mineral and organic wastes could result to degraded ecosystem.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the government arm task to look into the conservation of the natural resources is not sufficient nor effective enough to arrest factors involving misuse and abuse of local environment, particularly in the area of fisheries. Perhaps, with joint-efforts from the fisheries sector, the pursuit to protect such environment could be initially carried out more appropriately.

While the coastal water are also experiencing the same environmental constraints as aforementioned, efforts to implement preventive measures are participated by the local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) together with DENR. Although expected results are yet to be concluded, the legislation of SBN 1354 could help augment the process.

Offshore waters could still be considered a remote area for fisheries development. Attempts for improvement of present technologies toward these ends could be given due importance in terms of cost and benefit. Due to distance and accessibility to these areas, well researched plans and programs should be carefully developed prior to the implementation of such projects.

Corollary to fishery development and environmental concerns, the latest developments in aquaculture has resulted in ecological problems. When prawn industry took its peak sometime in 1988, the prevalent use of inorganic fertilizers, synthetic feeds and antibiotics needed to maximize production had adverse affect both in the inland and coastal waters. With the absence of Fisheries Code, laws and policies affecting the protecting of environment was major problem area in the fishery sector. Mismanagement of waste therefore directly affects the propagation of natural feeds and food elements necessary for the culture of milkfish, shrimps and other fishes produced in these areas.

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