Navotas traders plan ‘fish holiday’ to protest fishing ban

Some fish traders in Navotas will not be selling their catch on Thursday as a protest against the implementation of the Fisheries Code of the Philippines, particularly its ban on fishing in municipal waters.

A report on Balita Pilipinas on Wednesday said traders at Markets 3, 4, and 5 of the Navotas Fish Port will be joining the protest.

Some 100 tons of fish arrive at the port every day, with catch from as far as Zamboanga, Palawan, and Masbate. The fish are then sold to various parts of Luzon.

In an interview with GMA News, Market 3,4,5 Navotas Fish Traders vice president Boy Charing said the government should have consulted with them first about the matter.



The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said they have done this, adding that the law will protect both fishermen and the environment.

"Kapag tinitingnan mo 'yung huli ng 'hulbot-hulbot', pati maliit [na isda] hinuhuli rin. Tapos kinakadkad 'yung ilalim. Pati halamang dagat na siya nating pinagkukunan ng pangingisda ay naaapektuhan. Sila din 'yung itinuturing na kalaban ng mas maliit na mangingisda," said BFAR director Asis Perez.

Meanwhile, traders at Markets 1 and 2 said they would not be joining the fish holiday.

"Hindi kami sang-ayon doon kasi araw-araw may dumarating [na huli]. Kawawa 'yung mga fisherman sa probinsya... Marami silang expenses," fish trader Marcelo Pascual told GMA News.

Other fish vendors at a wet market in Kamuning said the situation on Thursday will determine if prices will go up.

On Wednesday, fish even sold at a lower price, with galunggong going from P160 to P130 and bangus from P140 to P130.  — Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/BM, GMA News