The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Negros Oriental has reported no cases of illegal dynamite fishing in the province since the 1980s, based on continuous monitoring.

“We have not received any reports of dynamite fishing in the province since the 1980s and after the alleged head of such illegal operations in a town in the north died,” said Florencia Mepaña, BFAR-Negros Oriental chief told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday, January 30.

Mepaña attributed this to increased awareness among fisherfolk on severe penalties for illegal fishing.

Regular market inspections have also found no evidence of fish caught through blast fishing.

BFAR’s statement follows a recent dolphin stranding incident in Bais City, where five dead dolphins were found with suspected lung trauma from underwater blasts.

Mepaña said they will look into reports that an “innovation” involving underwater blast fishing may have caused the dolphins’ deaths.

She, however, pointed out that the marine mammals could have been out at sea in areas outside the protected seascape, Tañon Strait, and had lost their sense of direction due to the blast, hence the stranding in Bais City. (PNA)