Marikina River fishing ban lifted

Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro on Tuesday lifted the fishing ban in the Marikina River as fish from the waterway have been tested safe and unaffected by the African swine fever virus.

According to the city's public information office, Teodoro's decision was prompted by the findings of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources which verified that the fish in the river are safe and unaffected by the recent African swine fever (ASF),” Marikina PIO added.

Amid the conduct of biosecurity protocol against ASF virus in Rizal in September, dead pigs have started turning up one-by-one at the Marikina River. 

The city government banned fishing in the body of water due to the concern that the river has been contaminated and the fish caught in it could affect the health of residents when consumed. 

Due to this, the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) took samples from Marikina River to determine if the water is ASF-contaminated and still good to be visited for recreational activities like boating. 

Teodoro was accompanied by the City Health Office (CHO), City Environment Management Office (CEMO), and River Parks Authority (RPA) in explaining the recent developments to the fishers’ group, Marikina PIO added. —Joviland Rita/NB, GMA News