Mayor Marvin Malacon is reminding E. B. Magalona fisherfolk to refrain from catching undersized or gravid blue swimming crabs – or face penalties.
Undersized crabs are those measuring less than 4 inches, while gravid crabs are considered pregnant or carrying eggs in cluster on their bellies, Bobby Paran, chair of the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC), said.
Malacon called for an urgent meeting with punong barangays and officers of fisherfolk associations of the nine coastal barangays of EB Magalona at the Public Plaza Monday, May 22, after learning of recent apprehensions of fishermen catching undersized and gravid crabs.
He was joined by Municipal Planning and Development Office head Erwin Poniado, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office – designate Jojo Vargas, Paran, and personnel of the Municipal Agriculture Office.
Attending the meeting were officials of nine coastal barangays: Tomongtong, Latasan, Tuburan, Gahit, Madalag, Batea, Manta-angan, Alicante (Sitio Buyog), and Pasil, and several crab-buyers.
The regulation and protection of blue swimming crabs in E. B. Magalona is provided for in Municipal Ordinance No. 29 series of 2019.
Called the “E. B. Magalona Blue Crab and Bird Sanctuaries, and Mangrove Reserve – Local Conservation Area,” the ordinance states that the municipality shall ensure the equitable and wise use of the coastal resources, reserve preferential use of these resources for its fisherfolk, and promote their active participation in its management.
Malacon requested the punong barangays and officers of barangay fishefolk associations to conduct an information drive in their respective barangays about the regulation on catching crabs in the municipality.
Among the penalties for catching undersized and gravid crabs are confiscation of crab catch, fishing gear and paraphernalia, and payment of a fine depending on the degree of violation as stipulated in the municipal ordinance, Paran added.*