GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 12 has stepped up its enforcement patrols against illegal fishing and other related activities within the declared marine protected areas (MPAs) in parts of the Sarangani Bay.
Joy Oloquin, area superintendent of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS), said Thursday the move aims to stop the continuing breaches in portions of the MPAs that could potentially affect the thriving marine resources.
She said their fishery law enforcement teams have apprehended a number of fishermen these past weeks who were found fishing illegally in the area.
Among those confiscated were motorized boats, spear guns, compressors, and assorted fish that were caught through prohibited methods, she said.
“Spearfishing is not allowed and the recent apprehensions showed that some people are still doing it,” Oloquin said in an interview.
She said their office, in coordination with the local government units (LGUs), has been continually educating stakeholders regarding the prohibited acts in the bay based on the existing laws.
Sarangani Bay, which covers 215,950 hectares, is the only declared protected seascape in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) through Presidential Proclamation No. 756 signed on March 5, 1996 by then President Fidel Ramos.
Oloquin urged concerned residents to help protect the bay and its resources by reporting breaches and illegal activities to authorities.
“Many people are depending on its (Sarangani Bay) resources for their livelihood so we really need to protect it from destructive activities,” she said.
The DENR and LGUs have been continually working to protect and conserve the coral reefs in the MPAs, which are also considered fish sanctuaries.
Among the focal areas in Sarangani’s six coastal municipalities are Barangay Kawas in Alabel; Lot and Pananggalon Reef in Poblacion, Malapatan; Colon and Kamanga in Maasim; Glan Padidu marine sanctuary in Glan; and Tuka Reef in Kiamba.
A briefer from the Sarangani Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office said the use of any fishing or harvesting gear and practices or any of their variations that destroy coral reefs, seagrass beds, or other marine life and their associated habitats are prohibited in the MPAs.
“Mere possession of such gears within the protected areas shall be prima facie evidence of their use,” it said.
Also prohibited are dumping, throwing, using, or causing to be dumped into or placed in the protected area of any toxic chemical, noxious or poisonous substance or nonbiodegradable material, untreated sewage or animal waste products or products whether in liquid, solid, or gas state, including pesticides and other hazardous substances. (PNA)
