Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. (PNA)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Bicol (BFAR-5) recorded at least 3 tons of fish during a sardine beaching in Mandaon town in Masbate province early this week.
In an interview Friday, Nonie Enolva, BFAR Bicol spokesperson said residents of Sitio Looban in Barangay Poblacion Mandaon, Masbate, were stunned by the abundance of fish discovered on the shoreline.
"The fish were identified as juvenile herrings, locally known as "Lupoy" in the Masbate province, " Enolva said.
She said the provincial fisheries office of Masbate together with the local government unit of Mandaon municipal agriculture office heard testimonies from the locals.
"To understand the elements that cause beaching, we also have to learn to appreciate that fisheries management such as the implementation of fishing closure in some parts of the country help recover the sardine population," she said
Enolva added that there is a high occurrence of sardine beaching in areas where regulations have been implemented and still peak season for sardines.
"The beaching of juvenile fishes along the coastal barangay of Mandaon, Masbate is an indicator of something that we need to understand particularly on the science-based explanation of what really happened,” said Ariel U. Pioquinto, BFAR Bicol regional director.
He added that there are many possible triggers why sardine beaching occurs," it can be a sudden change in sea surface temperature and dissolved oxygen or it can be that their food source is near the shore, among others."
BFAR Bicol continues to monitor and explore all means to provide appropriate information to the public.
We also appreciate the support of all stakeholders particularly LGUs for their support to BFAR in implementing various programs on the conservation, protection and proper management of our marine resources.
Green turtle released back to sea
Meanwhile, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Guinobatan recently rescued and released an endangered green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) along the shoreline of Sitio Tambac at Maonon, Ligao City in Albay province.
In a social media post, DENR Bicol said upon assessment, the CENRO Ticao-Burias Pass Protected Seascape (TBPPS) team found the sea turtle to be in good condition with carapace length and width measuring 51 by 47 centimeters, respectively.
"CENRO Guinobatan continuously appeals to the public to report any incidence of marine stranding to the authorities to help us properly assess, handle, and release these marine species," CENR officer Narisol C. Divina said.
Green Sea Turtles are categorized as "Endangered Species" based on DENR Administrative Order 2019-09. (PNA)
