Post by admin on May 6, 2015 22:40:17 GMT 8
Southern Leyte to expand fish sanctuaries
May 6, 2015
Maasin City, Southern Leyte (PNA) – The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Management Office (PENRMO) is expanding the marine protected areas (MPAs) in Southern Leyte “to ensure year-round availability of fish and other marine resources.”
PENRMO Community Affairs Assistance head, Armando O. Gaviola said the provincial government has been looking for more potential sites to be added to the existing 56 MPAs or known as fish sanctuaries in 17 towns and one city.
Before an area in an open sea could be declared as MPA, it should have in its bottom numerous corals and ample sea grass. This is a prerequisite for the establishment of MPAs, a program introduced by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
“For some coastal municipalities that have mangrove plantations near its fish sanctuaries, it is recommended as a model for adaption for other areas that have also mangrove plantations,” Gaviola said.
Mangrove plantations and fish sanctuaries with plenty of corals and sea grass are equally good and suitable for breeding and birthing places of fish species and other marine resources, he said.
Gaviola pointed out that inhabitants in every community should protect and conserve their respective fish sanctuaries “to remain intact and healthy by having regular guards day and night, with eight-hour weekly or fortnightly shifting schedules, composed of either village watchmen, village council members and sea
Fishing within the MPAs is strictly prohibited. However, occasional scuba diving for sight-seeing inside the MPAs is allowed. Those who bring with them cameras will have to pay some amount. “Payment for bringing camera or video equipment while diving differs from one municipality to another. The payment depends upon the decision of those who managed their respective fish sanctuaries.”
Source: www.mb.com.ph/southern-leyte-to-expand-fish-sanctuaries/#A3rEWa7YfagbZgac.99
May 6, 2015
Maasin City, Southern Leyte (PNA) – The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Management Office (PENRMO) is expanding the marine protected areas (MPAs) in Southern Leyte “to ensure year-round availability of fish and other marine resources.”
PENRMO Community Affairs Assistance head, Armando O. Gaviola said the provincial government has been looking for more potential sites to be added to the existing 56 MPAs or known as fish sanctuaries in 17 towns and one city.
Before an area in an open sea could be declared as MPA, it should have in its bottom numerous corals and ample sea grass. This is a prerequisite for the establishment of MPAs, a program introduced by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
“For some coastal municipalities that have mangrove plantations near its fish sanctuaries, it is recommended as a model for adaption for other areas that have also mangrove plantations,” Gaviola said.
Mangrove plantations and fish sanctuaries with plenty of corals and sea grass are equally good and suitable for breeding and birthing places of fish species and other marine resources, he said.
Gaviola pointed out that inhabitants in every community should protect and conserve their respective fish sanctuaries “to remain intact and healthy by having regular guards day and night, with eight-hour weekly or fortnightly shifting schedules, composed of either village watchmen, village council members and sea
Fishing within the MPAs is strictly prohibited. However, occasional scuba diving for sight-seeing inside the MPAs is allowed. Those who bring with them cameras will have to pay some amount. “Payment for bringing camera or video equipment while diving differs from one municipality to another. The payment depends upon the decision of those who managed their respective fish sanctuaries.”
Source: www.mb.com.ph/southern-leyte-to-expand-fish-sanctuaries/#A3rEWa7YfagbZgac.99