LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. called Monday for the immediate implementation of the “No Fishpen Policy” in Pangasinan to address the problem of fish kill that has plagued parts of the province, particularly the municipalities of Bolinao and Anda.

Espino renewed his call after presenting the policy in a consultation with major aquaculture stakeholders in Pangasinan last June 10 at the conference hall of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) here.

He asked for the dismantling of permanent fishing structures at the Caquiputan Channel especially those not constructed in the designated areas.

The governor also asked stakeholders to reduce fish farming activities in the meantime to let our waters have “breathing time.”

He instructed concerned sectors to identify areas that have absolutely no fish farming activities especially at the Caquiputan Channel to be declared a “no fish farming” zone to give way for a sufficient supply and smooth flow in the waterway.

It will be recalled that Espino implemented earlier a massive river clean-up operations since last year to restore the beauty and bounty of the rivers in Central Pangasinan.

However, the Task Force Kalikasan, the implementation arm of the PDRRMC for the river clean-up has not yet reached the rivers in Western Pangasinan for the clearing operations against illegal fishing structures.

“The occurrence of fish kill is a serious matter that deserves serious attention,” the governor said stressing that “since Pangasinan accounts for at least 45% of the total fish landings in the Navotas fish market, the local fish farming industry affects not only the local food supply, but also the food supply in Metro Manila.”

In looking for long-term solutions, Espino has proposed basic objectives such as learning how to adapt to climate change, commit to exercise restraint and limit our fish farming activities at sustainable levels, lay down basic policies, rules and regulations to be followed and strictly enforced and define responsibilities and agree to work closely together.

Re-echoing what Espino said, Raffy Baraan, provincial administrator said: “If we attain clean waters, there will be continuous production, we will be able to produce quality fish from Pangasinan and achieve a higher marketability of our fish product and at the same time have an ecologically balanced environment.”