Fisherman in Pangasinan continued going to sea despite rough waters driven by the northeast monsoon, as authorities warned of rising waves and possible gale conditions along coastal areas.

Fishermen from Barangay Nibaliw Vidal in San Fabian said they had just returned from Pampanga and resumed early morning trips to fish. Some reported slightly better catches, but said earnings remain tight due to fuel costs.

“Nakabawi ng konti… Mahirap, kulang pa minsan na pang gasolina,” Boy Basto, a fisherman, said.

Fishermen said they could not venture far offshore at certain hours of the day because of stronger waves. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has advised both fishermen and beachgoers to take extra precaution when heading to sea.

“Magmula dito sa Brgy. Bolasi, Nibaliw Vidal, (Nibaliw) Magliba, and (Nibaliw) Narvarte… dito yung karaniwan na focus namin kaso dito rin nagkakaroon ng rip current o sabang,” PO1 Raymundo Barboza, commander of the San Fabian Coast Guard Sub-Station, said.

In Dagupan, coast guard officials said patrols and safety reminders remain ongoing.

“Regular lang po na pagpapatrol at pagpapaalala sa ating mga mangingisda at sa ating beach goers na normal ang ating karagatan,” Ens. Johnas Mitra, commander of the Dagupan Coast Guard Sub-Station, said.

The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said moderate to strong winds are expected based on historical PAGASA data, contributing to higher waves that can reach up to 4.5 meters (14.76 feet) even without an active gale warning.

“Base po kasi sa mga nakaraang datos ng DOST PAGASA, patuloy na inaasahan ang katamtaman hanggang sa malakas na hangin na isang dahilan sa pagtaas ng alon… umaabot ng hanggang 4.5M o 14.76FT ang taas ng alon kahit walang gale warning na nakataas,” Avenix Arenas, Pangasinan assistant DRRM officer, said.

While authorities said it remains generally safe for fishermen to operate, they urged crews not to sail far from shore due to persistent high waves.

PAGASA also said a gale warning may be issued for Pangasinan’s coastal areas if wave heights continue to rise because of the Amihan.

“Nakadepende ito sa pagtaas o sa wave height… may selected na sinasabi na dapat ay bigyan ng babala para sa ating kaligtasan din naman,” Engr. Jose Estrada Jr., chief meteorological officer at the PAGASA Dagupan Station, said.

Meanwhile, the PCG-Dagupan said it remains on alert and continues to remind fishing vessels to closely monitor wave conditions for safety.

Authorities said they will maintain patrols and monitoring to ensure the security of fishermen and other sea-goers in the province.