Fisheries sector suffers P387-M loss from floods

The torrential rains and deadly flooding that started on July 20 dealt a heavy blow to the fisheries sector, affecting close to 3,000 aqua farm operators and hundreds of fishermen in at least three regions of Luzon, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said Friday.

 

Losses reached P387 million as of Thursday, Aug. 9, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said, noting that Regions 1, 3 and 4A were the hardest hit.

 

Infrastructure and boats valued at P10.1 million were lost, according to BFAR

 

Aqua farms in Region 3’s Pampanga were heavily damaged, with losses estimated at P262 million, said Fisheries Bureau director Atty. Asis G. Perez.

 

Aqua farms that produce shrimps and prawns, and fish ponds in Cavite, Bataan, Bulacan, and Pangasinan were also hit hard by flood, the bureau said.

 

Most of the fish in the farms were mature enough for harvest, it said, noting that fish fry and fingerlings were also destroyed. — VS, GMA News