A fishers’ group has raised alarm over the dwindling number of aramang (soft-shelled shrimp) local fishers are able to catch in the Aparri River, blaming ongoing dredging activities for disrupting their livelihoods and threatening the river’s ecosystem.
Aramang, a staple catch for many small-scale fishers in the area, is typically abundant in the river during its peak seasons. However, fishers say their haul has significantly dropped since dredging operations began as part of the government’s flood mitigation and river rehabilitation project.
In a statement released on Friday, Nov. 22, the Cagayan Fisherfolk Association (CFA) said dredging has disrupted the natural habitat of aramang and other aquatic species.
“We also fear that the removal of sand and silt from the riverbed has made the river less conducive for spawning,” the group stated.
The fishers said that the recent devastation of the simultaneous typhoons further reduced the number of aramang in the Aparri River.
“Our daily catch of aramang used to be around 200 kilos, but now it’s down to just three kilos a day since the dredging started at the river. The situation has gotten even worse because of the consecutive typhoons,” CFA added.
The Aparri River dredging project, initiated in 2023, aims to deepen the river channel to prevent flooding in low-lying areas and improve navigation. But critics argue that the environmental impact on the river’s ecosystem has not been adequately addressed.
It can be recalled that local fisherfolk organizations have called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other government agencies to investigate the situation and ensure that their livelihoods are not jeopardized.
The DENR has yet to issue a statement on the fishers’ complaints.
Aramang fishing has long been a source of income for hundreds of families in Aparri and neighboring towns, with the shrimp being sold locally and exported to other provinces.
Fishers warned that if the decline continues, it could lead to long-term economic repercussions for the region.