Latest news with #BureauofFisheriesandAquaticResources
The Star
a day ago
- General
- The Star
Stranded whale rescued along Philippine coastline in Agusan del Norte
Personnel from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources rescuing a stranded and wounded short-finned pilot whale found on the shoreline of Magallanes, Agusan del Norte on Aug 9, 2025. - BFAR-13 BUTUAN CITY: The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the Caraga Region (BFAR-13) reported the rescue of a stranded short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) on the coastline of Magallanes, Agusan del Norte over the weekend. In its report on Monday (Aug 11), the BFAR-13 said residents of coastal Barangay Buhang spotted the stranded marine mammal on the morning of Aug 9. The villagers immediately reported the matter to the Coast Guard Station, Municipal Agriculture Office, and BFAR-13 for proper action. 'The 3.63-metre and 300-kilogram whale was visibly weak, leaning on its right side, and unable to stay upright without support when the responders arrived,' the BFAR-13 said. The marine mammal also bore multiple fresh wounds, which were likely from collisions with structures in the docking area. 'An older wound near its blowhole with a remnant of a suspected spear gun tip lodged inside was also discovered during the examination,' the BFAR-13 said. A veterinarian among the responders carefully removed the foreign object from the old wound. 'Due to the strong currents in the area, the rescuers transported the whale to Barangay Caloc for a safer release,' the agency said. The whale later regained strength, exhibited normal breathing patterns, and maintained an upright position before being released back into the sea. The BFAR-13 urged the public to report similar incidents to authorities immediately to help ensure the safety and survival of stranded marine animals. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
Filipino Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Estrada condemns alleged Chinese blocking of BFAR vessel in West Philippine Sea
enator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada on Friday condemned another alleged attempt by Chinese maritime militia ships to block a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel. Estrada's statement followed a disclosure by Ray Powell, retired US Air Force colonel and director of the SeaLight project at Stanford University's Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation. Powell said the BFAR vessel BRP Datu Romapenet, en route to Sandy Cay, was forced to return to Pag-asa Island after being blocked by at least three Chinese vessels. Sandy Cay is a group of sandbars west of Pag-asa Island claimed by both the Philippines and China. 'Reports that a BFAR vessel, the BRP Datu Romapenet, was blocked by Chinese maritime militia ships while conducting a fisheries mission in the West Philippine Sea are deeply concerning,' Estrada said. He urged relevant agencies to verify the incident, emphasizing that if confirmed, it would constitute a serious violation of the country's sovereign rights and harassment of a Philippine-flagged vessel carrying out legitimate monitoring within its maritime domain. Estrada lamented the numerous similar incidents experienced by Filipino civilian and government maritime personnel over the years. 'We could no longer count the many times our civilian and government maritime personnel have experienced from foreign entities that continue to persist in forcing us out of our own waters. We must not allow this disregard for our rights and endangerment of our fellow citizens to become normal,' he said. He called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to file a diplomatic protest and demand accountability from China once the incident is verified, while asserting the Philippines' rights under international law.
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Jinggoy urges agencies to verify report Chinese ships blocked BFAR vessel
Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Friday called on government agencies to verify a report that Chinese militia vessels bloced a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ship en route to Sandy Cay in the West Philippine Sea. Estrada, chairperson of the Senate committee on national defense and security, peace, unification and reconciliation, expressed concern over the report, saying it is a "serious breach" of the country's sovereign rights if proven true. "I urge the concerned agencies to validate this information, as the incident—if verified—would constitute a serious breach of our sovereign rights and harassment of a Philippine-flagged vessel conducting a legitimate monitoring mission within our own maritime domain," he said in a statement. "Hindi natin dapat hayaan na ma-normalize ang ganitong pangliliit sa ating karapatan at ang paglalagay sa panganib ng ating mga kababayan (We should not normalize this act of belittling our rights and endangering our people)," he added. On X (formerly Twitter), maritime security expert Ray Powell said BRP Datu Romapenet reversed course while en route to Sandy Cay after it was impeded by three Chinese ships. "At 0745 local time, Philippine fisheries ship BRP Datu Romapenet left Pag-Asa (Thitu) Island in the direction of Sandy Cay," he said. "It was impeded by at least 3 of China's maritime militia ships. At 9:00, it reversed course and returned to Pag-Asa. No further details yet available," he added. Estrada said the Department of Foreign Affairs should lodge a diplomatic protest and assert the country's rights once the incident is verified. "Our kababayans deserve nothing less than a government that firmly stands its ground in asserting our sovereignty and defending our nation's interest," he added. GMA News Online reached out to BFAR, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine Navy for comment on the matter and will publish it once available. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. In July 2016, the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, based on a case filed by Manila, junked China's nine-dash line claim covering the entire SCS. Beijing has refused to acknowledge the ruling. —Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar positive for red tide toxin
Matarinao Bay in the Province of Eastern Samar (specifically in the Municipalities of General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo) is under shellfish ban. According to an advisory of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on July 14, 2025, shellfish meat samples collected from Matarinao Bay are found positive for red tide toxin (saxitoxin). 'Hence, all types of shellfishes and Acetes sp. locally known as 'alamang' or 'hipon' from this bay are not safe for human consumption,' the BFAR advisory read. Further, filtered seawater samples collected from Irong-Irong Bay (Catbalogan City, Province of Samar) remains positive for Pyrodinium bahamense, a dinoflagellate that produces red tide toxin (saxitoxin). 'The public is also advised to refrain from gathering, selling, and eating all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. locally known as 'alamang' or 'hipon' from this area to avoid possible Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP),' the BFAR advisory added. Further, BFAR said that fish, squid, crab, and shrimp are safe to eat provided that these are 'fresh, all entrails are removed, and washed thoroughly with running water before cooking.'
Filipino Times
13-07-2025
- Filipino Times
Tawilis prices crash amid Taal Lake dumping allegations, say fishers
The price of tawilis, a freshwater sardine endemic to Taal Lake, has dropped to an all-time low following disturbing claims that the bodies of missing sabungeros (cockfighting enthusiasts) were dumped in the lake, a local fishers' group reported on Sunday, July 13. According to Pamalakaya, a kilo of tawilis in some Cavite markets now sells for ₱100, down from the usual ₱250. The group said this price collapse is severely hurting local fishers who are already struggling due to months of limited fishing caused by the southwest monsoon (Habagat). Despite reassurances from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that Taal fish remain safe to eat, public fear continues to impact demand. Pamalakaya is calling on the Department of Agriculture and BFAR to step in by buying fish at fair prices and encouraging the public to support Taal Lake fish products. The price drop comes amid claims from a witness in the sabungeros case that the victims' bodies were dumped in the lake. Authorities have recovered several sacks from Taal and are currently investigating if they are connected to the missing persons case.
