Ronnie C. Roa | October 23, 2022
The Committee on Agriculture of the 16th Sangguniang Panlungsod of Ormoc City convened on the morning of October 14 to discuss plans of banning parrotfish fishing in the city.
Fishery Research and Development Section (FRDS) Chief Irish Belmonte disclosed that the meeting was presided over by committee chairman Hon. Rey Evangelista is pushing for a city ordinance that will ban catching parrotfish in the local seawaters.
Belmonte also revealed that parrotfish, locally known as ‘molmol’, occupied an important role in the marine ecosystem. It constantly eats algae off coral reefs which helps corals stay healthy and thrive. This in turn supports more fish in the sea.
Parrotfish sold at the local wet market came from nearby municipalities, Belmonte continued. Based on their monitoring, the FRDS divulges that these parrotfish came from Samar, Biliran, and some from Carigara Bay.
Belmonte assured that no parrotfish is caught from Ormoc since most of it is in the protected area or fish sanctuaries. Fishing inside fish sanctuaries is illegal in the city.
The committee agreed to form a technical working group (TWG) and will conduct more intensive research to support the planned local directive.
Parrotfish have been a favorite cuisine for the ordinary Ormocanon. It is best when salted (tinabal).
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