SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The provincial government has sought the help of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in addressing the alarming illegal fishing activities here.
In a media interview on Tuesday, Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao said she asked new PCG - Antique Station Commander, Lt. Noel Ramos, to help safeguard the seas against illegal fishers.
“Illegal fishing activities are rampant in Seco Island in Tibiao town,” Cadiao said, as well as in Sebaste town and Batbatan island in Culasi town.
“If we will not stop these illegal fishing activities, what will happen then to our marine resources?” she said, adding that illegal fishermen could catch as much as one ton of fish in one operation, which could affect the province’s fishing industry.
Cadiao made the request during Ramos’ courtesy call at her office on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, she said she requested Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara of the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) for a military station in Batbatan island.
“I am requesting for (a) military station because also of the rampant illegal fishing activities there,” Cadiao said.
In a later interview, Ramos said they would coordinate with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) so that they could assist in protecting the province’s marine resources.
“We will be working closely with the BFAR and the DA being the primary agencies in charge of marine resources,” he said.
Ramos learned that illegal fishers use Danish seine, dynamite, and trawl, which could be destructive. (PNA)