Fisherfolk deplore waning catch due to 'overfishing'

Sardine fishers in Dinagat Islands lamented their declining catch due to overfishing and harmful fishing practices of encroaching commercial fishers, who, they pointed out, are barred from municipal waters by law. Fisherfolk farmers revealed their sardine catch situation during a recent policy dialogue between their group and concerned government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). “[We had plenty of catches] before. But now, not anymore because we see fishing boats using superlight even closer to the shore. This drives us, small fisherfolk, farther into the deeper part of the ocean. Meanwhile, the commercial fishers using superlight are able to catch fish inside our municipal waters,” Eric Sarcauga, a sardine fisher from Dinagat Islands, was quoted as saying in a statement issued by nongovernment organization Oceana, the organizer of the virtual dialogue.