Yesterday, February 3, 2010 we were told by a fisherman from Santo Domingo, Albay (45-50 km northwest of Rapu-Rapu) that they set out to fish in Albay Gulf the day before. They caught nothing but 1 bañera of "bolinaw" (a species of fish popular among us for its small size and transparent flesh). It's among the poor man's food. Before 2005, they used to catch 20 bañeras of the species.
Reports like this are confirmatory of the complaint of fishermen from other areas around Albay Gulf. In Malobago, Rapu-Rapu, Albay, the Ibon Foundation research team gathered that fishermen there were experiencing a 93% decline in catch. In 2008, fishermen in San Carlos, Tabaco, Albay and Bigaa, Legazpi City reported that their fish catch declined from 50 to 3 bañeras per outing. This is a 94% decline. The report by the fisherman from Santo Domingo means a decline of 95%.
If we list down the figures, we have:
2007 - 93% decline
2008 - 94%
2010 - 95%
There is a trend here. As time passes, the decline is worsening. All these started in 2005 when the mining operation in Rapu-Rapu, Albay went full blast. The apologists of Lafayette may again defend by saying that the reports are not "scientific". We insist that the Ibon report was scientific. The complaints of fishermen received in 2008 and 2010 are merely confirmatory.
Moreover, between a scientist's study and a fisherman's actual experience, any sensible evaluator of the information coming from areas around Albay Gulf should lend serious consideration to the latter.
The declining fish catch is a major impact of Lafayette mining which no ISO certification can nullify. This is truth in its barest essence that would only disprove claims of responsible mining by Lafayette and put under a dark cloud of doubt the integrity of any standards organization. As we have reminded them, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
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