CDN FILE PHOTO
THE Mandaue City Council amended its Local Fisheries Code with more stringent provisions and penalties against the cutting of mangrove trees in the city.
The amendments now prohibit the cutting, damaging and conversion of mangroves to fish ponds and salt beds within the territorial bounds of the city.
This is in response to Presidential Decree 705 or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines which prohibits the cutting of all mangrove species and Republic Act 8550 or the Fisheries Code of 1998 which prohibits the conversion of mangrove to fish ponds and other uses.
“The cutting and conversion of mangroves led to the decrease in fishery productivity, increases vulnerability to climactic extremes and decrease in resiliency of social structures and natural systems,” part of the ordinance read.
Violators will be fined with P5,000 and required to restore and rehabilitate the damaged mangrove forest.
Known mangrove areas in Mandaue City are in Cansaga Bay, Barangay Pakna-an and Barangay Umapad.