An Overview of Destructive Fishing in the Philippines
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29329/actanatsci.2022.352.04Keywords:
Cyanide fishing, Destructive fishing, Dynamite fishing, Muro-ami fishing, PhilippinesAbstract
The Philippines, being positioned in the center of the coral triangle, is among the major-fish producing countries globally. However, in many parts of the country, illegal fishing is rampant, particularly destructive fishing practices (DFPs). Fisheries involving DFPs cause direct ecological damage to the corals. These fishing activities threaten both natural habitats and aquatic resources. In this review paper, we reviewed available scientific literature reporting the DFPs in the Philippines from 1979 to 2022. Results revealed that most DFPs, such as dynamite fishing, cyanide fishing, and muro-ami fishing, were prevalent and remained a lingering problem in the Philippines from the 1930s up to this date. The weak enforcement of the existing laws and regulations fuels these activities, compromising the productive coral reef areas in the Philippines. Thus, it is urgently necessary to cease these DFPs as well as protect the integrity of vital and fragile ecosystems. It is therefore recommended that strict implementation of the laws and regulations at local and national levels is likely to stop or if not least, reduce the pressing issues of destructive fishing techniques.
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