ILLEGAL FISHING. One of two fishing vessels with 23 crew members apprehended by authorities off the coast of Sto. Niño, Samar on Thursday (Jan. 28, 2021). These fishermen were caught using illegal fishing gears within the municipal waters. (Photo courtesy of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources)
TACLOBAN CITY – Personnel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has apprehended two commercial fishing vessels with 23 crew members in an anti-illegal fishing drive off the coast of Sto. Niño, Samar on Thursday.
The fishery law enforcement team held the perpetrators for using trawl fishing gears within the municipal waters of the island town, the BFAR regional office here said in a report sent to journalists Thursday.
The BFAR is preparing to file cases against three persons identified as the owners and boat captain. Fish workers were released after interrogation.
The boat owners and captain violated the Fisheries Administrative Order 237 or the regulations requiring the installment of juvenile and trash fish excluder device in trawls in Philippine Waters; use of fine mesh net, use of active gear in municipal waters, bays, and other fishery management areas, commercial fishing vessel operators employing unlicensed workers or crew, and use of unlicensed gear.
These violations are stipulated under the amended Fisheries Code of the Philippines, according to BFAR.
“Fishing nets and fish catch seized from the said fishery law perpetrators are currently under the custody of the BFAR-Fisheries Resource Protection Group (FRPG) Carigara Substation (in Leyte) for proper safekeeping and disposition,” the BFAR said.
If found guilty, offenders will pay a fine of PHP10,000 to PHP1 million, suspension or cancellation of license, and six months to six years of imprisonment.
The fisheries bureau urges the public to report any illegal fishing activities within the waters of Eastern Visayas through the hotline number 0956 432 9955. (PNA)
