ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities have apprehended two commercial vessels for illegally fishing in the municipality of Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte province, an official said Friday.
Al-zath Kunting, regional director of the Department of Agriculture – Zamboanga Peninsula’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-9), said the vessels were caught fishing using ring nets inside the municipal waters of Roxas on Thursday.
Kunting said operatives of the BFAR-9 monitoring and control unit were on patrol when they spotted the two fishing vessels inside the municipal fishing grounds, or 15 kilometers from the shoreline.
Republic Act 10654, otherwise known as the amended Philippines fisheries code, prohibits commercial fishing vessels inside the municipal waters.
“The apprehension of the two vessels serves as a warning to other fishing operators who continue to ignore fishery laws and regulations,” he said, pointing out that municipal waters are for the exclusive use of small fishermen.
The commercial fishing vessels and their respective crew were brought to the Galas Port in Dipolog City for proper and appropriate legal action. (PNA)
