In an interview yesterday, Pangelinan, a former House member, echoed the same sentiments aired by residents who testified against House Bill 17-136 which proposes to lift the ban against net fishing.
Introduced by Rep. Sylvestre I. Iguel, Covenant-Saipan, H.B. 17-136 will allow non-commercial net fishing in the waters surrounding the CNMI.
Nine residents, including acting Division of Fish and Wildlife director Marianne Teregeyo, spoke against the measure, saying it will do more harm than good
Pangelinan said it was during his time as DLNR secretary when the use of drag net, surround net and trap nets in fishing was banned.
The government was worried about the health of coral reefs and other marine resources, he added.
There were scientific findings these fishing practices were harmful to nearshore resources, he added. They brought in a lot of by-catch like turtles, sharks, sea cucumbers and other marine resources, he said.
According to Pangelinan, DFW has the scientific records indicating that regulations against net fishing are working and the CNMI was commended by the federal government for successfully enforcing them.
“So why lift the ban?” he asked.
The bill will destroy one of the islands’ basic food resources, he added.
“I urged the good people in the House of Representatives to reconsider their position. There are other fishing methods that people can use,” he said.
