By Gabriela Baron
Flounder fish or locally known as “tampal-puke” or “isdang dapa” was seen by fisherfolks in Cavite waters.
According to fisherfolk group Pamalakaya Pilipinas, the fish were said to be being driven away from the seafloor because of the ongoing dredging in Manila Bay.
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
“Small fishers have been fighting the dredging and reclamation projects in Manila Bay,” Pamalakaya noted.
Dredging activities resulted in drastic decline of fish catch and other ecological damage, according to the group.
Pamalakaya said it recorded an 80% decline in the average fish catch of a fisherfolk since the dredging operations in Manila Bay started two years ago.
Flounder fish belong in the group of flatfish species. They are usually found at the bottom of the oceans.