MIMAROPA

Fish sanctuaries to be established in San Agustin

By Dinnes Manzo

Thursday 21st of June 2012

SAN AGUSTIN, Romblon, June 21 (PIA) -- A rapid resource assessment (RRA) was conducted recently in various coastal waters of Barangays Cawayan, Longbeach, Carmen, Cagbo-aya, Binongaan, and Bachawan as a prerequisite in establishing and managing new fish sanctuaries in this municipality.

An underwater assessment was held on June 5-8 led by municipal and barangay LGUs in collaboration with Coastal Resources Management/Fishery Division of the Provincial Government- Environment & Natural Resources Office, Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources-Provincial Fishery Office, and central office personnel.

Mayor Emmanuel “Toto” F. Madrona issued a memorandum order recently to temporarily suspend all diving activities particularly at the Blue Hole found in the coastal water of Barangay Cawayan.

This underwater tourist attraction was featured in national television, which encouraged more local and foreign divers to visit the said diving site. With this, the municipal government prompted to prepare first its management plan before marketing it to the tourists.

“These new fish sanctuaries are designated areas in the bodies of municipal water that serve as shelters and breeding grounds for fish and other marine species,” supervising aquaculturist Otelio G. Cangson of PG-ENRO said.

Municipal agriculturist Ruby Murchante and Aquaculturist II Espirita G. Sarmiento said that these new fish sanctuaries should be preserved and protected for its sustainable use.

Based on the outcome of the said assessment, BFAR divers Rogie Merin and Jerry Dineros with ENRO- aquatechnologist/diver Delfin F. Mores recommended the following potential sites for new fish sanctuaries - Bituon Reef in Barangay Cawayan, Dakit-dakit Reef in Barangay Cagbo-aya, and So. Guiob Coral Reef in Barangay Binongaan.

Likewise, the existing condition of fish sanctuaries in Barangay Carmen was found to be improving since it was established in 2002.

Other sites that were assessed - Barangay’s Bachawan and Biaringan Island in Longbeach were recommended for protection from siltation and garbage.

After the successful conduct of Rapid Resource Assessment (RRA), there will be a public hearing with stakeholders.

The three sites will then be declared as new fish sanctuaries through a municipal ordinance. Billboards will be put up and sanctuary markers will be installed. (Contributed by Engr. Raymund G. Inocencio, EMS II-ENRO/TBO/DM-PIA IVB, Romblon)