Illegal dynamite fishing rises at Lingayen Gulf

By Mar. T. Supnad

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan- Supt. Harris Fama, chief of police of this capital town, said he will endorse to Mayor Ernesto “Jonas” Castaneda, Jr. deputization of selected fishermen to serve as fish wardens and who will enforce fishing laws along the Lingayen Gulf to protect it from dynamite fishing and rising illegal fishing activities.

Aside from being fish wardens, Fama said deputized fishermen will monitor all illegal activities along the gulf to prevent the destruction of marine resources and breeding ground of the fishes along the said coastal area which is the sources of income to thousands of fishermen in Pangasinan.

Fama’s action came in the wake of last week’s explosion’s incident where two fishermen were seriously wounded after the dynamite they were using blasted themselves instead in the coastal barangay of Capandanan.

Fama reported to Mayor Castañeda that Zaldy Salva, 40 and Virgilio Castro, 39, married and both residents of Barangay Capandanan, this town were seriously injured when the dynamite they were using in catching fish prematurely exploded into their bodies.

Fama said a concerned citizen called up Lingayen police station informing the police there were victims of dynamite fishing along the Lingayen gulf.

Immediately, investigator SPO2 Mardy delos Santos was sent to verify the report.
Fama said his men rescued the two bloodied victims swimming at the coastal area.

Initial interview with the two victims revealed when Salva was about to throw a dynamite into the water, the dynamite prematurely exploded causing major injury to both of them.

The explosion severed his right hand which caused his fingers to be amputated while Castro has sustained several injuries in his body.

Mayor Castaneda has earlier ordered all out campaign against illegal fishing along Lingayen Gulf and ordered Fama to tighten surveillance not only on those who are supplying dynamites but also to unscrupulous illegal fishers.