• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has urged fishing communities to remain vigilant as El Niño may significantly affect marine ecosystems and fisheries, potentially disrupting fish populations and livelihoods.
In a statement, BFAR said El Niño can alter sea surface temperatures, rainfall patterns, wind direction, and ocean currents, which may influence fish movement, population levels, and the availability of nutrients in marine waters.
The agency noted that the effects vary depending on fishing grounds and fish species, with fishermen and coastal communities often the first to observe unusual changes in marine conditions and fish catches.
BFAR encouraged fisherfolk to closely monitor conditions in their fishing areas and immediately report any unusual changes in fish catches.
The agency also advised that incidents such as fish mortality, fish kills, and other fisheries-related concerns be reported to local government units or the nearest BFAR office for appropriate action.
The recommendations form part of precautionary measures aimed at protecting fisheries resources and safeguarding the livelihoods of fishing communities as the country prepares for the possible effects of a Super El Niño.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture in the Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) is encouraging farmers to diversify crops and adopt drought-resistant varieties to mitigate potential losses from prolonged dry conditions.
DA-NIR Regional Executive Director Jose Albert Barrogo said farmers are being encouraged to plant crops that require less water, including mung beans, squash, watermelon, okra, and pechay, instead of relying heavily on rice and corn during the dry season.
Barrogo said the agency will provide seeds of alternative crops to qualified farmers registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).
The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist has likewise recommended corn and other low-water requirement crops as part of efforts to help farmers cope with the expected dry spell.
As of October, damage to rice and corn crops attributed to extreme heat had exceeded P40 million, highlighting the threat posed by prolonged drought to agricultural production and farmers’ livelihoods. | GPB
