Sardine congress brings hope to fishers

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The 6th National Sardines Industry Congress and Trade Exhibit concluded Saturday with members of the industry and their workers expressing high hope that the government will listen to their plea to reverse some provisions of the present fishery law.

Southern Philippines Deep Sea Fishing Association Vice President Engr. Jaydrick Johnson A. Yap said the 1998 Fishery Law should be amended to tailor the needs of the fishing industry as it was not science-based.

Yap also presented the problem and the role of commercial fishers in uplifting the life of municipal fishers in this part of the country.

Jaro Ajik, dean of the college of fisheries, lectured participants on the status, trends and challenges in the small-scale commercial sardines fishery in the Sulu archipelago.

Leonardo Y. Tan, president of the Industrial Group in Zamboanga City Inc., reported on the updates on the issues and challenges of the sardine fishing and processing industry in the Philippines.

SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante D. Marcoleta vowed to sponsor a bill making Zamboanga the Sardine capital in the Philippines and will give full support to the fishery stakeholders and budget for the sardine industry.