An ordinance providing for the sustainable management, conservation and development of coastal and fisheries resources of Bacolod City, was approved by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod on third and final reading Wednesday.

The ordinance was authored by Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez, chairman of the SP Committee on Trade, Commerce and Industry and Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries.

The provisions of the ordinance will be enforced within the territorial jurisdiction of the city as defined in City Ordinance No. 611. The ordinance provides for the adoption of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority technical description of the municipal waters of Bacolod City; all aquatic and fishery resources in coastal fishing areas; and all areas devoted to aquaculture, or business and activities relating to fishery whether private ownership.

The ordinance provides penalties for unauthorized fishing; dumping of waste materials in beaches, seashores, rivers and along the shoreline of the city; and prohibits the use of formalin as preservative for fish and fishery aquatic products.

It hopes to provide support to the fishery sector, including women and youth sectors, through utilization of appropriate technology and research, adequate financial, production, and marketing assistance and construction of post harvest facilities, among others.*CGS

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