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Fish sufficiency level in Cagayan Valley on downtrend

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan- Cagayan Valley is only 44 percent sufficient in fish last year as compared to its sufficiency level of more than 60 percent in 2009, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources reported today.

Dr. Angel Encarnacion of the bureau’s fisheries post – harvest and marketing division said several problems have affected the sector including the weather disturbances, use of illegal fishing gears and methods and the increasing demand of a fast-growing population.

“Since 2010 up to 2015, the level of sufficiency is on a down trend because of the various threats to the industry,” Encarnacion said.

The provinces of Batanes and Cagayan have passed the 100 percent sufficiency level at 138 percent while Cagayan recorded 96 percent. However, the performances of Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Viscaya at 17 percent, 11 percent and 10 percent, respectively, have affected the total performance of the region.

Data obtained from BFAR showed that from 2006 to 2015, the sufficiency level has dropped significantly in 2010 until it reached its lowest level at 44 percent in the last five years.

BFAR has cited weather disturbance like typhoons and flashfloods which have hit the region the last few years a major factor in the decreasing fish sufficiency trend.

Venchito Villarao, BFAR fishery office for Cagayan said the presence of commercial fishing boats on municipal waters and the use of illegal fishing methods like cyanides and dynamite have somehow destroyed fish habitats which likewise affected production.

Encarnacion said BFAR is investing on aquaculture technologies trainings and seminars and the provisions of other support like boat making as interventions to increase production, thus, the fish sufficiency levels.

BFAR is also banking on Republic Act 10564 as amended to include the distribution of 2,000 boats to fisherfolk next year. TNF

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