Photo from Oceana
MANILA, Philippines — A marine conservation group recently warned of declining sardine stock in Bicol and Samar waters due to overfishing and called on the government to expedite the implementation of the National Sardine Management Plan.
In a study done by Oceana on the conditions of sardine stocks in Fisheries Management Area 7 (FMA 7) fishing grounds off Bicol and Samar from February 2020 to March 2021, it was revealed that “sardine stocks are overfished.”
The National Sardine Management Plan approved by Agriculture Secretary William Dar on May 15, 2020, aims to improve science-based indicators for the sustainability of fish stocks and distribution of benefits among sardine fisherfolk communities and strengthen science-based management for sustainable sardine fisheries by the end of 2025.
“Many Filipinos depend on sardines not only for food but also for livelihood, making this one of the most important resources in achieving food security in the country. It is therefore imperative that the government safeguards our sardine species that are now on the verge of collapse,” said Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Vice President of Oceana.
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“We strongly urge the implementation of the National Sardines Management Plan in Fisheries Management Areas to stop the dangerous decline of our sardine resource,” she stressed.
Dr. Wilfredo Campos of the University of the Philippines-Visayas, who spearheaded the study, cautioned of dire consequences because of overfishing in the FMA 7 fishing grounds off Bicol and Samar.
