THE FPJ Panday Bayanihan Partylist has vowed to strengthen the livelihood of fishermen in Pangasinan, recognizing their vital role in ensuring the country’s food security.
During a visit to local fishing communities, Brian Poe Llamanzares, the party’s first nominee, expressed concern over the challenges faced by small-scale fishers, particularly their lack of equipment and resources.
Llamanzares noted that many fishermen do not own boats, forcing them to borrow vessels from others.
Despite this, they venture nearly two kilometers offshore to catch fish, highlighting their struggle to sustain their livelihood.
“We learned that small-scale fishers are catching fewer fish and are struggling to compete with large commercial vessels,” he said.
Pangasinan, which boasts 14 coastal towns and cities, including Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Burgos, Dasol, Infanta, Sual, Labrador, Lingayen, Binmaley, San Fabian, Alaminos, and Dagupan, has seen a significant decline in its marine resources.
Fishermen have blamed the rampant operations of large-scale fishing vessels, which they say have depleted their catch.
The situation is further exacerbated by the destruction of coral reefs, which serve as crucial fish habitats.
The degradation of marine ecosystems in Pangasinan is driven by several factors, including climate change, overfishing, destructive fishing methods, pollution, coastal development, and rising ocean temperatures, which cause coral bleaching.
To address these issues, Llamanzares said his party is prepared to collaborate with government agencies to implement comprehensive support programs for the fishing sector, including skills training programs to enhance fishing techniques; technical assistance for more efficient and sustainable operations; and financial aid to help small-scale fishermen invest in better equipment and eco-friendly practices.
