Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez has called for action to support blue swimming crab fisherfolk in Western Visayas during the first Regional Congress of Panay-Negros-Guimaras Crab Fishers Alliance (PANEG-CA) on Dec. 18 at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City.
In his speech, Benitez noted that Philippine blue swimming crabs are internationally recognized as unsustainably fished.
“Issues such as habitat damage and overfishing continue to exert significant pressure on our blue swimming crab population,” the lawmaker said, noting that “fishing mortality rates are too high, and it is getting sufficiently alarming”.
As one of the solutions to the issue, Benitez emphasized the need for hatcheries to replenish the population, the creation of reserved areas, and the implementation of closed seasons to give crabs time to grow.
He lauded the unity of fisherfolk from Panay, Guimaras and Negros, emphasizing the necessity to transcend political boundaries and adopt a whole-of-nation approach to ecosystem-based fisheries management.
Benitez urged them to use the first Regional Congress as an opportunity to collaborate while balancing economic needs with ecological sustainability.
He informed participants of the legislative initiatives Congress is working on to support fisherfolk, including a review of the Fisheries Code and the Integrated Coastal Area Management Bill.
Benitez has also authored the Blue Economy Bill, which seeks to mandate agencies to coordinate zoning for fishing grounds, transport, and other uses for the seas and oceans.
“The world of nature does not abide by our political boundaries,” Benitez said, stressing the need to coordinate efforts to avoid fragmentation in policies.
He assured the fisherfolk that he will continue to help them achieve democratic and sustainable fisheries. ||
