GUIUAN, Eastern Samar—Fisherrmen and commercial fishing boat operators are raring to go back to the sea a month after Supertyphoon “Yolanda” destroyed their boats and their livelihood.
Many have repaired their fishing boats while their crew men started to return more than a month after the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda.
However, they cannot go on full operation for one simple and cold problem—the unavailability of ice.
Benjamin Cabacaba, a 55 year old said he can resume operations anytime.
“Ice ang kulang namin, walang ice,” he said in an interview.
As a commercial fisherman that used to operate at least four “lantsa” or large fishing boats, Cabacaba said they used to get supply of ice from as far as Tacloban City, Catbalogan City and Bicol.
He said that is a key element in commercial fishing operations because it keep fish catch fresh.
Fish caught by Cabacaba’s crewmen are later sold to major cities in the Visayas like Tacloban, Ormoc, and Cebu. Sometimes, they are also selling fish to as far as Bicol.
He said that every night, each of his 40-ton “lantsa” manned by 40 crewmen can catch up eight tons of fish.
Such volume requires large volume of ice keep fish fresh until it reach markets in major cities.
He said that in his more than 30 years in the fishing industry, their catch remain consistent.
This partly due to prohibition against dynamite fishing in this coastal town on the southern tip of Samar Island.
He said that in the 50 and 60’s dynamite fishing on the Pacific Ocean near this town is rampant.
This due to availability of dynamite and other explosive materials left by American forces.
Cabacaba said that municipal government of Guiuan banned the use of dynamite to protect its fishing industry.
With regards to actual recovery of the fishing industry here,he said that it depends on the capability of fishermen.
However, when pressed for answers, he said that it might take at least five year for full recovery.
He said that many of the fishing boats were damaged during the onslaught of the typhoon.
As a matter of fact, he said that two of his operational “lantsa” beached on the island of Tubabao off the coast of Guiuan.
He said that it suffered minimal damage and can be operated anytime it is pulled on the shore.
Report by Dino Balabo, PNEJ member
Photos by Imelda Abano, PNEJ member
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