Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 25) – Dredging activities have caused the surfacing of flounder, or flatfish, in Manila Bay but further study needs to be done on how this may affect the livelihood of fisherfolk in the area, a marine biologist said.
“With the ongoing dredging activities in Manila Bay, sand is being extracted as filling material for reclamation projects, which disturbs the habitats of flatfishes and other demersal fish and benthic invertebrate species,” marine scientist Jerwin Baure told CNN Philippines.
“It may be possible that with the loss of bottom sediments, flatfishes would be driven away from their habitats,” said Baure, who is also a public information officer of scientists’ group Advocates of Science and Technology for the People.
According to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), there are at least 108 species of flatfish in the country. However, the size of its population is not well documented.
“Despite their diversity, these species have low abundance and contribute insignificantly to the country’s overall fisheries production,” BFAR told CNN Philippines.
Fisher’s group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) earlier raised the alarm after fisherfolk in Cavite reported the sighting of flatfish, locally known as \”tampal-puke\” or \”isdang dapa,\” in Manila Bay.
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LOOK | Local fishers observed the surfacing of this type of flounder/flat fish, locally known as ‘tampal-puke’ or ‘isdang dapa’.
‘Tampal-puke’ are said to be being driven away from the seafloor because of the ongoing dredging in Manila Bay. pic.twitter.com/2ynz1tqm1U
— Pamalakaya Pilipinas (@pama_pil) June 16, 2023
