News

Sarihay in Focus: “Davao Gulf: Rich Spawning Ground” by Stella A. Estremera

Posted on May 5, 2015

(Second in an eleven-part series.)

In August 2014, the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) conducted a resource assessment at the Davao Gulf. The study confirmed its status as a rich spawning ground for various species of fish, including both small pelagic fishes, as well as larger species, such as tuna.

This was reported by Stella A. Estremera in her September 6, 2014 article for Sun Star Davao entitled, “Davao Gulf: Rich spawning ground.” The article was recently awarded the Best Regional News Story at FPE’s recently concluded Sarihay Media Awards.

The resource assessment was significant for establishing data to support a call for a closed season at the gulf to allow time for the fish species to spawn. The news report detailed that the oceanographic survey conducted onboard the MV DA-BFAR confirmed a substantial presence of fish eggs and larvae within the area during the closed season. Researcher Riczyneth A. Arinque identified a total of 2,180 fish larvae from 84 fish families during the presentation of the findings.

According to the news report:

“The closed season is needed to allow small pelagic fishes to spawn,” said Jose A. Villanueva, OIC of the BFAR 11 Fisheries Regulatory and Law Enforcement Division (FRLED).

Once the fishes lay their eggs, then fishermen can fish again since even if the eggs have already hatched, these would still be too small to be caught in legally allowed fishnets. Minimum diameter for fishnets is 3 cm, Villanueva said, while maximum power for fishing vessels allowed for municipal waters is 10 knots.

…

It’s all about giving the pregnant fishes time to lay their eggs and allow a thousand or a million more to hatch, or as BFAR 11 Director Fatma Idris says, “Magkaroon ng pagkakataon ang isdang buntis (Give the pregnant fishes a chance).”

“It is not just fish we are talking about, this is about the economy,” Villanueva said.

The article pointed out the importance of BFAR-sanctioned regulatory measures to ensure the health of the gulf’s marine ecosystem. This includes the establishment of the aforementioned closed season, the first of which was completed on August 31, 2014. The research findings also affirmed the need for strict enforcement of regulations near the mouth and Eastern portion of the Davao Gulf. This area is where high concentration of tuna were found. Restrictions will allow spawning females to lay eggs before fishermen catch them.

The resource assessment also noted the presence of garbage and debris “found drifting in the entire gulf,” emphasizing that not it is not merely overfishing that is posing ecological pressures on the Davao Gulf ecosystem.

Instead, Estremera points out: “The greater problem is people’s disregard for the health of its marine environment. These resources will not be there forever when people do ensure an environment that can sustain these.”

To read the whole article, “Davao Gulf: Rich spawning ground”, click here.

Among the environmental issues that FPE addresses is the prevalence of unsustainable agriculture and and fishing practices. FPE strives to pursue, advocate for, and support efforts and initiatives towards the inventory and improvement of marine resources, especially established marine protected areas (MPAs).

(Article thumbnail via  Wikimedia Commons.)

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The Sarihay Media Awards was launched last February 2014 in recognition of the important role of the media in promoting awareness and better understanding of environmental and sustainable development issues among policymakers, decision makers, and the public. The campaign served as both acknowledgement and reward to those who deliver outstanding and responsible reportage of environmental news. The term "Sarihay" comes from the Filipino phrase, "Samu't Saring Buhay", which aptly describes biodiversity.