By Rhaydz B. Barcia
LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 17 (PNA) — Foreign and Filipino marine scientists are closely studying the importance of the biodiversity in the Burias Pass, home of rare and endangered species in the world.
The Burias Pass is located between Albay and Masbate provinces where a rare megamouth shark was trapped and fished out by fishermen from Marigondon, Pioduran town on Jan. 28.
Dr. Alessandro Ponzo, an Italian marine scientist and director of Large Marine Vertebrates Project in Philippines, said Monday they are studying the biodiversity of the Burias Pass as this area is a very important biodiversity in the country.
Ponzo, along with Dr. Aa Yaptinchay, Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines director, flew in to Legazpi to lead the necropsy of the rare megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) found dead in Catandulan Point near Donsol, Sorsogon, where it accidentally got entangled in a net and believed to have died prior to being caught.
The necropsy of rare megamouth shark was also participated by Dr. Florencio Adonay, Albay provincial veterinarian officer-in-charge, and Dr. Evelyn Saberon of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
The Manta Bowl is found in the Burias Pass, known for its plankton-rich water and constant current.
Such traits make the waters as an alley for other pelagic sea life like the whale shark, thresher shark, hammerhead shark and tiger shark.
The whale shark or butanding — the world’s gentle giant fish in the world, dancing dolphin and mantra ray are sighted in the Burias Pass during the months of October to May.
Nonie P. Enolva, team leader of BFAR Bicol-Fisheries Regional Emergency Stranding Response team and chief of the Marine Fisheries Resource Management Section, said the Burias Pass is highly diverse — meaning the Burias-Ticao Pass fishing ground is very important in the biological diversity of the region.
“The Burias-Ticao Pass is considered a very productive fishing ground and home to a rich assemblage of some important apex species like sharks, rays, dolphins and whales but ironically is heavily exploited and an identified area of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF) — not to mention the old practice of butchering and eating protected fish species by the local folk,” Dennis V. del Socorro, BFAR Bicol regional director, said.
According to Del Socorro, there is a need to enforce stricter fishery laws and regulations through regular sea patrolling, monitoring, control and surveillance to curb illegal fishing practices in the Bicol waters.
“Considering that we have these planktivorous megafauna — along with the whale sharks and manta rays, especially in the Burias-Ticao Pass — makes us conclude that the fishing ground is very important in the biological diversity of the region,” Enolva said.
The recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Oceans and Fisheries Working Group meeting highlighted how fisheries and sustainable aquaculture are critical in ensuring food security, sustainable livelihood and economic prosperity worldwide.
Fish are a critical source of protein for many, particularly in the APEC Region.
One way of achieving food security in the coastal and marine environment is to combat IUU fishing, improve biodiversity of all support-ecosystems, and create well-maintained ecosystems that provide more ecological goods and better ecological services.
Del Socorro, who also serves as chairperson of the sub-committee on Fishing and Marine Environment Protection of the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee along with other 20-member national government agencies, said they are determined to enhance their strategies to address massive unabated illegal fishing challenges.
The official said their office prioritizes stricter enforcement of the fishery laws by allocating funds for the logistics, procurement of patrol boats and other floating assets and by continuously implementing capability-building programs for fishery law enforcers in the entire country’.
The Samahan ng mga Mangingisda ng Rehiyon at Lokal, Inc., the regional alliance of fisherfolk organizations in Bicol region, will also be making steps on how the fisherfolk sector can help the government in this campaign.
Through strong government-private sector partnership, the government can hopefully help address the pressing fisheries issues in the region. (PNA)