SONA Misses Fishery Sector Issues, Oceana Philippines Says

OCEANA PHILIPPINES on Tuesday criticized President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) for failing to address issues affecting the country’s fishery sector, particularly the continued intrusion of commercial fishing vessels into municipal waters. Oceana Philippines Vice-President Von Hernandez said the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has sent mixed signals by supporting proposed amendments that would allow commercial fishing in municipal waters instead of enforcing the 15-kilometer exclusive fishing zone for small-scale fishers. He also questioned the government’s focus on aquaculture investments, saying stronger protection of municipal waters and a clear fishery recovery plan is needed. — Marron Joshua F. Mendoza