In recent weeks, a series of typhoons struck the country.

The shores and coastal areas were among the hardest hit due to relentless storm surges.

Although fishermen want to go out to sea, they are unable to, significantly affecting their livelihood.

Today, November 21, we celebrate World Fisheries Day.

This day was established by the World Forum of Fisherpeople in 1998.

It was created to highlight issues in fisheries and the degradation of aquatic ecosystems due to overfishing, pollution, and climate change.

But why should we celebrate this?

The event aims to honor fishermen, small communities, the importance of marine resources, and proper stewardship of these resources.

It also serves to raise awareness about sustainable fishing practices and the need to maintain the balance in aquatic ecosystems.

Fish and other marine resources are vital to the Philippine economy.

In fact, the fisheries sector contributed 8.6% to the country’s GDP in 2023, amounting to 1.8 trillion pesos.

However, beyond its contribution to jobs and the economy, it is crucial to prioritize the protection of our marine resources.

Due to human activities, such as dumping trash into the oceans, fishkill events cannot be avoided.

Fishkill occurs when there’s a sudden drop in oxygen levels, often caused by algal bloom.

Algae, a microorganism, proliferates in polluted waters and at night absorbs the oxygen needed by fish. It also releases chemicals toxic to fish, leading to algal blooms.

Other causes of fishkill include oil spills, temperature changes in the water, or the disposal of harmful chemicals.

According to DOST, thousands of kilos of fish die annually in the Philippines due to fishkill.

In 2021, fishkill in Batangas resulted in 109 metric tons of fish deaths.

This has a significant impact on fishermen and the fish supply in markets.

That’s why the Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), has programs aimed at reducing fishkill incidents.

Some of these measures include regular water quality monitoring and close monitoring of fish pens.

These programs play a significant role in mitigating the widespread effects of fishkill.

But as they say, we all have a responsibility to protect our water bodies.

This celebration reminds us that oceans, rivers, and other bodies of water are essential to nature and human life.

Remember, caring for nature also means caring for our future.

**Valerie Ann Dismaya