This refers to the article “Philippine stops eel export” (Inquirer, 5/8/12), which says that the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has banned the export of baby eels or elvers, locally known as dalara, with the end in view of saving it from extinction. The decision came after the BFAR regional office in Cagayan Valley recommended the ban due to alleged excessive, widespread and undue exploitation of elvers.
Many of my relatives are marginalized local fishermen from the province of Cagayan and I am sure that they are now economically displaced because of this total ban. The gathering of elvers is their only source of income. And if the gathering of elvers is totally banned, many of their school-age children would have to drop out. The fishermen would also hardly be able to provide the needs of their aging elders and sick members of their families because of abject poverty.
These fishermen know no alternative means of livelihood but to gather elvers. There is no job opportunity for them in public and private entities either. But they can have a decent and respectable life if they have a modest livelihood.
No word may have been heard from these fishermen. But I am sure they want to air a plea: for President Aquino to lift the total ban. This total ban, in my view, does a poverty-stricken sector an injustice. So, to rectify the situation, may I suggest the following:
1. Declare the August-December period a “close-season” (gathering of elvers allowed) and the rest of the months an “open-season.”
2. The local government units concerned should help in providing alternative livelihood to these fishermen.
3. Teach the fishermen the ways of “optimum elvers-gathering” so they would not overfish the elvers.
I know the government under the stewardship of President Aquino is fair-minded and empathizes with underprivileged fishermen.
—REGINALD B. TAMAYO,
acting assistant city council secretary,
Marikina City