To preserve its villages’ marine ecosystem, the Municipality of Carles wants to regulate the massive harvesting of seagrass from its waters.

The proposal came after the municipal council’s Committee on Tourism discovered that several Cebuanos are buying dried seagrass directly from the fisherfolk of Barangays Buaya, San Fernando and Alipata at P4.00 per kilo.

Committee Chairman Siegfredo Betita said, based on gathered reports, the dried seagrass is being used as raw material in making fertilizer, feeds, medicines, insect repellents and plastic products such as plastic chairs and tables.

He also received reports that some fishermen harvest the seagrass directly from the ocean floor and are not contented with those that are floating above water.

 “The seagrass is the breeding area of squids and fishes. They are abundant in our town. But, other fishermen are pulling them even from underwater if they have nothing to get from above. Kay nagalutaw man lang ina sa ibabaw sang tubig,” he said.

He said that as of now, there is no ban on seagrass harvesting although several Tourism office personnel are monitoring this activity.

Meanwhile, fisherman Jan Ten Andrade of Brgy. Buaya said they derive income from seagrass harvesting. He usually collects these every morning after fishing. He said he only gets those that float above water or those on the seashore.

He said, they can harvest 10 kilos of seagrass or more in a day.

On the other hand, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, executive director of Task Force Bantay Dagat, said the regulation of this specie would depend on the LGU’s initiative.*