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BFAR captures boat illegally fishing in Samar

By Sarwell Meniano

June 7, 2019, 4:33 pm

<p><strong>HELD FOR DESTRUCTION. </strong> The fishing boat apprehended early Friday (June 7, 2019) by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Daram, Samar for destructive fishing. Authorities are now hunting the boat captain and his marine mechanic. <em>(Photo courtesy of BFAR)  </em></p>

HELD FOR DESTRUCTION.  The fishing boat apprehended early Friday (June 7, 2019) by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Daram, Samar for destructive fishing. Authorities are now hunting the boat captain and his marine mechanic. (Photo courtesy of BFAR)  

TACLOBAN CITY -- Authorities apprehended on Friday a commercial fishing vessel employing destructive fishing methods within the municipal waters of Daram, Samar.

A team from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources' (BFAR) Fisheries Protection and Law Enforcement Group (FPLEG) tried to arrest the boat captain and the engineman, but they managed to escape during the operation around 4:25 am. in Rizal village

“The apprehending officers confiscated the boat’s fishing gears, which are estimated to have a market value of PHP500,000 to PHP1 million. They have also seized two tubs of fish catch, which will be donated to Samar Provincial Hospital,” said BFAR Eastern Visayas Regional Director Juan Albaladejo in a phone interview.

Albaladejo said the boat captain and engineman violated the provisions of the Philippine Fisheries Code for unauthorized fishing, use of fine mesh net, the practice of "muro-ami", and other methods and use of gear destructive to coral reefs and marine habitat.

The "muro-ami" fishing technique uses an encircling net together with pounding devices. These devices usually comprise large stones fitted on ropes that are pounded into the coral reefs.

They will also be charged for employing unlicensed fisherfolk, fish-worker or crew; obstruction to Fishery Law Enforcement Officer; and use of unlicensed gear.

They have also allegedly defiled the directive banning the operation of Danish Seine and Modified Danish Seine or “hulbot-hulbot” in Philippine waters. Those who will be found guilty of violating this order will be facing an administrative fine equivalent to times the value of fish caught.

Upon conviction by the court, the boat captain and engineman will be imprisoned for two to 10 years. The team also captured some of the 12 crew members, but they were released since they are not the persons liable in this illegal activity, according to BFAR.

Authorities are now hunting the boat captain and his marine mechanic after they were identified. (PNA)

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