President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. clarified on Saturday that the government will not impose a fishing ban as it will affect the income of the country’s small-scale fishermen.

In a media interview during the rice distribution in Iriga City, Camarines Sur, the President said a fishing ban will not be imposed but only a fishing restriction in the breeding areas.

“Hindi maganda ang pagkapaliwanag ko. Hindi fishing ban ang pinag-usapan ko. Ang sinasabi ko, kung saan ‘yung breeding area ng isda, huwag tayong mangingisda doon para dumami ‘yung isda,” President Marcos said.

“Pero walang fishing ban. Hindi naman — walang hanapbuhay ang tao. Padadamihin nga natin ‘yung isda. Dahil kausap ko kanina ‘yung mga mangingisda, sabi nila talagang nabawasan na ‘yung huli nila,” he added.

The chief executive underscored the importance of protecting fish breeding grounds to ensure an abundant supply of fish in the Philippines and to ensure that fisherfolks’ source of income will not be affected.

President Marcos recently emphasized the need to address overfishing and boost the country’s fish population and aquaculture in the country. PND